Research Interests

I am a marine ecologist, interested in how environmental factors influence organismal and trophic ecology. I am currently working on projects that utilize fatty acids and stable isotopes as biomarkers to investigate invertebrate feeding ecology by studying interactions between primary producers and consumers. We are also using these biomarkers to investigate the effects of ocean acidification on Dungeness crabs and their food web interactions.

My research has focused on the effects of ocean acidification, the reduction in seawater pH due to the increased absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide, on benthic invertebrates, from tropical and temperate to polar systems.  I investigated ocean acidification effects on sea star regenerative ability, growth, and behavior. 

I am also interested in the effects of ocean acidification on benthic communities and as such have worked on research projects investigating the effects of the combined stressors of  ocean acidification and rising seawater temperature on a suite of Antarctic invertebrates and benthic community ecological interactions within invertebrate-macroalgal assemblages.  Additionally, I am interested observing and documenting the natural variations currently experienced by marine organisms.

I plan on pursuing research focused on evaluating the effects of human induced changes to abiotic conditions on coastal assemblages. In this pursuit, I would like to develop multigenerational studies to better evaluate the acclimation and adaptive potential of coevolved species. I am particularly interested in ecological modeling to synthesize organismal responses to better understand ecosystem response.

Additionally, I have presented the results of the research work I have been involved with at national and international conferences. An integral part of research is giving back to the social and academic communities that have provided me with so much support. I have included some information on these additional research associated activities here.