Research

I work have worked on DNA barcoding of fish eggs in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Cuba. DNA barcoding allows us to use molecular techniques to identify fish eggs down to the species level. It is very difficult to identify eggs morphologically, so this method allows us to find spawning areas of almost any fish species genetically. 

We are studying viruses that are associated with red tides blooms in Florida. It is possible that viruses found in red tide blooms could one day be used to mitigate harmful algae blooms. Read more here.

To blend art and science, I grow colorful E. coli bacteria for artists to paint with.

I have been on two MBON cruises where I filtered liters of water to concentrate environmental DNA (eDNA) from the ocean samples. eDNA allows us to see the organisms that have been in that water using molecular techniques. 

We pull seine nets to collect, measure, and release species of fish in Boca Ciega Bay and Fort De Soto. These measurements help us understand species growth and diversity changes over time. 

During undergrad, I worked on sequencing a virus thought to cause tumors in sea turtles (chelonid fibropapillomatosis-associated herpesvirus). This photo shows a turtle getting surgery to remove it's tumor.