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My dissertation research focused on identifying molecular pathways involved in thermal stress-hardening of Caribbean corals currently propagated for coral restoration efforts here in Florida. The goal of my research was to better understand the underlying mechanisms of thermal priming so that assisted acclimatization may be used as a restoration technique in the future.
I conducted my research under supervision of Dr. Ian Enochs (NOAA) and Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles (UM). |
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Recording of my PhD dissertation defense
May 7, 2024
Mechanisms for enhancing thermotolerance of Caribbean corals
Fragments of Acropora cervicornis captured for image analysis of coral tissue coloration during the 32ºC heat-stress assay (2019).
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My three dissertation chapters utilized in-situ and ex-situ experiments to study mechanisms for enhancing coral thermotolerance through thermal priming, otherwise known as stress-hardening. We demonstrated in Coral Reefs that pre-exposure to pulses of high temperature stress led to increased endurance in heat-stress before bleaching for Acropora cervicornis (the critically endangered staghorn coral).
What are the genetic mechanisms driving thermal priming, can this be applied to other species, and does this enhanced thermotolerance last in the long-term? |
Documenting coral reefs through environmental change
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I've been lucky enough to travel to some great scuba diving sites and document the health of coral reefs through disease and bleaching events.
The diversity of fish and coral species illustrate how just important these ecosystems are for underwater life, and why it's essential for us to conserve them. |
A thicket of Acropora cervicornis outplanted by Coral Restoration Foundation in the upper Florida Keys (2018).
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Discover the beauty of these colonial organisms close-up
Acropora cervicornis sexual recruit (<1 yr old) from Mote Marine Laboratory (2019).
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