Marine Science

Education

• Ph.D. Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, USA, Molecular Genetics & Marine Biology
• M.S. Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, University of Gent, Belgium & Sorbonne University, France
• B.S. Biology & Environmental Natural Resource Management, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

Courses

• MS 288 Marine & Freshwater Botany

Research

My research integrates seaweed genomics, microbiome analysis, and gene expression profiling to support sustainable aquaculture development and coastal ecosystem health. I investigate seaweeds as natural bioindicators that signal changes in water quality and ecosystem health to support bioremediation and environmental monitoring. My research blends fieldwork, laboratory cultivation, molecular biology, and applied aquaculture to address challenges in marine resource management and restoration.

My lab’s focus is on native Florida seaweed species to advance regional aquaculture for both economic benefit and environmental resilience. The main goal is to characterize seaweed biodiversity in the Gulf Coast and to optimize seaweed cultivation practices and improve seaweed aquaculture by exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying seaweed growth, reproduction, and stress tolerance.

Select publication

• To what extent do mesophotic coral ecosystems and shallow reefs share species of conservation interest? A systematic review