Research & Projects

Work in the Field and at the Bench

A selection of research projects, thesis work, and analytical collaborations spanning marine biodiversity, molecular phylogenetics, and ecological data analysis.

Molecular Phylogenetics of Coastal Invertebrates

MSc Marine Biology Course work

PhylogeneticsTaxonomyIntertidal Ecology

Molecular Phylogenetics of Coastal Invertebrates

An investigation into the evolutionary relationships and population structure of intertidal invertebrate communities, combining morphological taxonomy with molecular sequence data (COI, 16S) to resolve invertebrate species boundaries. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses were used to construct well-supported phylogenies, revealing previously unrecognised lineages within two focal genera.

Methods

DNA extraction & PCR amplification
Sequence alignment (MUSCLE)
ML inference (IQ-TREE)
Bayesian inference (MrBayes)
Species delimitation (ABGD, GMYC)

Pigeon Point Field Work

BiodiversitySeagrassCommunity Ecology

Seagrass Meadow Biodiversity Assessment

A comparative biodiversity assessment of seagrass-associated invertebrate communities across sites with varying levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Multivariate analysis (NMDS, PERMANOVA) identified significant community shifts linked to sediment quality and shoot density, with implications for seagrass monitoring protocols.

Methods

Quadrat and core sampling
Invertebrate identification
NMDS & PERMANOVA (R/vegan)
Sediment analysis
Diversity indices

Bioluminescent Symbioses in Fish and Cephalopods

M.Sc. Thesis — SFSU IMES

BioluminescenceHost–Microbe SignalingSymbiosisLiterature Synthesis

Bioluminescent Symbioses in Fish and Cephalopods

A literature review synthesis investigating potential research directions in bioluminescent symbioses of fish and cephalopods with bacterial symbionts. The review examines host specificity, bacterial signaling mechanisms, and the ecological roles of light-organ symbioses — with particular focus on how symbiotic bacteria shape the morphogenesis of the squid light organ through host–microbe signaling cascades.

Methods

Systematic literature review
Host specificity analysis
Bacterial signaling pathways
Comparative symbiosis ecology
Synthesis & gap identification

Symbiotic bacteria shape development of the squid light organ through host–microbe signaling. Adapted from Nyholm & McFall-Ngai (2021).

Specimen imagery

Lacuna and Littorine gastropod shells compared under microscope — SFSU Marine Biology coursework

Seven-armed sea star specimen on measurement scale — intertidal fieldwork

Analytical Toolkit

My research draws on a combination of field ecology, molecular laboratory methods, and quantitative data analysis. I'm comfortable working across the full pipeline — from sample collection and laboratory processing to statistical analysis and figure production.

Bayesian phylogenetic tree of tunicate species (Ascidiacea) showing posterior probability support values and evolutionary relationships — Bayesian phylogenetic tree of tunicate species (Ascidiacea) with posterior probability support values — produced as part of Marine Biology coursework at SFSU.

Open to Collaboration

I'm actively looking for research partnerships, co-authorship opportunities, and consulting engagements. If you're working on a project that could benefit from marine biodiversity analysis, molecular phylogenetics, or ecological statistics — let's talk.

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