Our team is interested in using marine and terrestrial invertebrates as systems to understand the mechanisms for how organisms acclimate and adapt to their environments.
We implement an interdisciplinary approach that leverages field and laboratory research around the world.
We use many ‘omics techniques to measure genetic variation, gene expression, and symbiotic microbial communities.
We prioritize an inclusive training and research environment that supports all students in the discovery of biology.
We think science should be shared with the community. We work extensively with local community colleges, K-12 schools, and institutions (Discovery Place Science, Schiele Museum) for outreach and partnerships to translate our research into broader impacts.
Laboratory Highlights:
> Dynamic Frenemies
Anemones and sea urchins form dynamic and complex associations with bacteria and other microbes (‘the microbiome’). Some are beneficial, some are harmful, some are both and most we have no idea, but we are working on it!
> From DNA to Diversity
The genomes of Individuals and species vary in increasingly interesting ways that help us understand their history as well as ways they adapt to different environments. By measuring these variants with sequencing technologies, we are increasingly able to to determine these connections.
> What time is it anyway?
Animals (and all other organisms) have different versions of an internal timekeeping mechanism (‘circadian clock’). We study these mechanisms in cnidarians to understand their evolution and function.
> Can you take the heat (and cold)?
Climate change is reshaping biodiversity around the world. How do different species (coral, oyster, sea squirt, sea urchin , anemones) respond to these environmental challenges? We measure stress responses in different species to see what is the same and different.