Biology

Darter detective: Ph.D. student Payton Barry on ecosystems, outreach, and grant hunting  

Jun 5, 2026 • By Sarah Hansen, M.S. '15

Payton Barry, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in biological sciences, is diving into the world of Maryland’s streams. Under Tamra Mendelson’s mentorship, he studies how introduced species of darters, a family of freshwater fish, are affecting native ones. Equal parts dedicated researcher and enthusiastic science communicator, Payton has creatively pieced together funding from organizations like The Explorers Club while sharing his work with the public through outreach events and his engaging Instagram account, @barrybiome.