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Research Summary


Rising temperatures and intensifying human pressures are pushing the ocean into rapid and uncharted change. My research investigates how marine systems diversify, persist, and adapt to these novel and changing environments, and what that means for the future of our oceans. I use genetics as a window into this processes, complementing experimental studies in evolutionary development (evo-devo) and ecophysiology to understand how organisms respond to environmental stress across biological scales, from genomes to communities. Because understanding complex ocean systems requires many forms of knowledge, I collaborate with scientists across disciplines and career stages, as well as with community partners and cultural practitioners whose insights enrich and ground my science. Ultimately, my work is driven by a commitment to preserving the biodiversity and ecological balance of our oceans, ensuring their long-term health and resilience for future generations.

Projects Overview 

Approaches used and related project links:

Investigating a Regenerating, Symbiotic Cnidarian: Cassiopea (Upside-Down Jellyfish)

Comparative genomics
Functional genetics (RNAi / siRNAi)
Citizen- and community-driven science
Population dynamics

Unlocking Ancestral Regenerative Programs in the California-Native Moon Jellyfish Aurelia labiata

PacBio long-read sequencing
Transcriptomics
Full life-cycle animal care/husbandry
Time-course development
Time-course regeneration

Target-Enriched Genomic Approaches to Assess Gorgonian Octocoral Diversity on Indo-Pacific Mesophotic Reefs

Ultraconserved elements (UCEs) target-enriched sequencing
UCE-based SNP discovery
Population genomics

Characterizing Genomic Adaptations of Mesophotic Seaweeds in Hawaiʻi

Next-generation sequencing
Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing
Comparative genomics
Organelles (Chloroplast and Mitochondrial genomes)
Phylogenomics
Bioinformatics
Extreme environment adaptation

Biodiversity Survey of Hawaiian Mesophotic Algae

DNA barcoding (Sanger sequencing)
Herbarium curation
Alpha taxonomy
Phylogenetics 
Systematics 
Island biogeography
Species distribution modeling
Metadata and database management
GIS tools
Cultural naming
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