Lab Members
Dr. Christopher R. Hemingson (he/him)
Assistant Professor & Principal Investigator
Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston
​
Positions
2026 - current: Assistant Professor of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, USA
​
2023 - 2026: Stengl-Wyer Postdoctoral Scholar, the University of Texas at Austin, USA
​
2022 - 2022: Science Writer, Great Barrier Marine Park Authority, Australia
​
2021 - 2022: Team Leader INLOC Group, Australia
​
2017 - 2021: PhD, James Cook University, Australia
​
2015 - 2016: MSc, James Cook University, Australia
​
2010 - 2014: BS, Texas A&M University, USA
Kendall Hovius (she/her)
PhD Student
Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston
​​
Positions
2026 - current: PhD Student of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, USA​
​
2021 - 2025: BS, Barry University, USA
​
Stamps Scholar at Barry University - class of 2025
​​​​
I received my Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology with minors in chemistry and mathematics from Barry University in 2025, and started my PhD at the TEA lab in August of 2026. My research interests are sexual dichromatism in fish, cryptic communication in reproduction, and the ways in which environmental conditions, from water quality to predation pressure, affect color development. Personally, one of my favorite hobbies is picking up new creative pursuits, and I'm always down to join a ttrpg group.
David E. Wiseman (he/him)
PhD Student
Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston
​​
Positions
2026 - current: PhD Student of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, USA
​
2023 - 2026: Lab Assistant, University of Kansas, USA
​
2022 - 2026: BS, University of Kansas, USA
​​​
I’m David, and I’m interested in studying the relationship between visually mediated behaviors such as courtship and cleaning mutualisms, and the changing visual environment these organisms inhabit. My research aims to build a better understanding of how the strong pressures of the anthropogenic world impacts visually complex ecosystems and their organisms. When I'm not in the lab, you’ll probably find me reading comics, catching the newest movies, or swimming laps in the pool. If you see me, feel free to ask me about otters!
Mattie Ward (she/her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston
​​
Howdy! My name is Mattie Ward, and I am a current honors undergraduate student at Texas A&M University at Galveston studying Marine Biology. I joined the Trait Ecology & Adaptation Lab under Dr. Hemingson in March of 2026. My research interests include evolutionary biology, morphology based traits of marine species that can be traced back millions of years ago, CRISPR-Cas9 based proteomics, and a focused interest in the foundational fin-to-limb transition. After undergrad, I plan on continuing my studies in a more focused Evolutionary Ecology program. I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas (Go Stars!), and in my free time enjoy reading the newest horror fiction, collecting tattoos, and spending time with my partner and two cats.
Samuel Foltz II (he/him)
Undergraduate Research Scholar
Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston
​​
Hi! I'm Sam, an honors student seeking my degree in Marine Biology. I'm a Coast Guard veteran, now seeking my passions through in the sciences. My research in the TEA Lab involves fish and substrate color association, and the importance of color and camouflage that influences behaviors beneficial to survivability. After my undergrad, I plan to attend graduate school in a program that looks closely at fish ecology and how they interact with the environment around them. Outside of school, I enjoy being outdoors, surfing, playing basketball, or ultimate frisbee. Come join me on the field sometime!
Be the next member of the TEA Lab!​
The TEA Lab is just getting started and is looking for eager and motivated new lab members to kick start the lab group! Please see the 'Join' tab for more information about current openings. Or contact me directly at: chris.hemingson@tamug.edu ​