My research focuses on the biodiversity of deep-sea marine animals, aiming to characterize new species, understand where they live, and untangle how new species arise in the ocean. My research experiences have taken me from the coral reefs of Florida to the deep-sea coral reefs on the Hawaiian seamounts; From coastal salt marshes to hydrothermal vents in the South Pacific.
Life uh....... finds a way.
My doctoral research focused on the biodiversity and biogeography of methane seeps located off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. These environments rely on a process called "chemosynthesis," where microbes generate energy directly from chemicals expelled from the ocean floor, rather than from sunlight (i.e. "photosynthesis"). At chemosynthesis-based ecosystems, life thrives. While many species at these sites remain undiscovered and undescribed, we also have yet to fully understand how such incredible diversity evolved in the first place. During my research, I used phylogenetic analyses, modern and historical occurrence records, ocean circulation patterns, and geological histories to understand the evolutionary processes that may have generated the biodiversity observed at chemosynthetic ecosystems.
Meeting the neighbors
Biological illustrations of Provanna snails (by Me!)
Taxonomy and systematics deals with the proper identification and naming of species. In essence, it is the very human pursuit of knowing our neighbors and being able to greet them by name.
Consistent and correct species identifications lay the foundation for population, community, and ecological investigations. You can't study how a species lives if you don't even know how to define it! In my research, I worked with groups of under-studied marine snails to clarify their identities and generate data and resources to aid in their future identification. My research used molecular genetics, microscopy, and morphometrics to discover and describe 6 new snail species, with more to come!
Learning the ropes
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working in a diversity of marine environments.
In my undergraduate career, I was an accepted participant in a Marine Ecology Field Methods course, which brought a group of students around the state of Florida and trained us on how to conduct research in coral reefs, salt marshes, estuaries, sand dunes, mangrove forests, and aboard research vessels. During this course, we learned a suite of biological field methods, including quadrat and transect surveying, impact evaluation, water quality testing, and more.
In my graduate career, I've had the opportunity to go on three separate research expeditions: One studying deep-sea corals on the Hawaiian Seamounts (60 days long), one studying the methane seeps off of Costa Rica (16 days long), and one studying the hydrothermal vents off the Kingdom of Tonga (50 days long). These expeditions utilized human-operated submersibles (in which I wracked up 72 total dive hours), remotely-operated vehicles (48 total shift hours), and niskin water samples.
