Coastal and Marine Laboratory

Research and Professional Interests

My research interests center on the reproductive ecology of invertebrate species, with additional considerations given to community ecology, organismal interactions, and symbioses. I have worked on systems ranging from near-shore environments to the deep-sea.

Many factors can influence the reproduction of a species. Deducing these factors often requires careful consideration of the local environment as well as the community the organism exists within. I use integrative approaches including morphological and genetic identification, microscopy (histology, SEM, TEM), stable isotopic analysis, microbiome, and larval culturing techniques to examine when and how successfully a species reproduces in the context of its community and environment.

During my undergraduate, I worked on mudflats, oyster aquaculture farms, and oyster pest species (i.e. mud blister worms). Post-graduation, I assisted with research on cold water coral reproduction. In graduate school, I collaborated in research on multiple invertebrate species from continental shelf and slope habitats, as well as from chemosynthetic systems. At the same time, I conducted a dissertation focusing on epibiotic barnacles and polychaetes.

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Florida State University (2025)

Ph.D. Biology, University of Oregon (2024)

B.S. Marine Science, University of Maine (2017)

Research Areas & Interests

Invertebrate reproductive ecology, marine invertebrate biology, deep-sea biology and ecology, invertebrate larvae, community ecology, symbioses

Professional Profiles

ORCID 

Research Gate

Google Scholar