Research Interests:
Microbial pathogens have been identified as the causative agents for a variety of diseases that have devastated coral reefs world wide; however, healthy corals are also known to host diverse and unique communities of microorganisms, including both Bacteria and Archaea. Determining coral disease etiologies is problematic because little is known about the types of microbes found on healthy corals and the functional role that these microbes may play in maintaining host health during disease-free periods.

For my doctoral research, I am using molecular methods to investigate the diversity and abundance of bacteria associated with healthy and health-compromised (e.g. diseased, bleached, and sediment-stressed) corals across a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance within the Hawaiian archipelago (including the main Hawaiian Islands and Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument) and greater Pacific (Johnston Atoll and American Samoa). The ultimate goal of this study is to determine if assessments of coral associated bacterial populations can be used as bioindicators of a coral's health state and to predict a coral's susceptibility to disease. Such a method would enable resource managers to develop effective measures to manage reefs threatened by anthropogenic disturbances and disease.

Because my field sites are mainly within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, an area that was in the process of being designated as a National Marine Sanctuary (now a Marine National Monument), I have witnessed the processes that are involved in creating a marine reserve. I am particularly aware of the impacts that my own research activities have on the environment and take every step possible to minimize the footprint of these actions. I regularly meet with resource managers to discuss these impacts as well as the benefits of conducting this type of research within the monument. In the future, I hope to see much of the work I have done translated into action and used to help protect and better understand this magnificent ecosystem.