Coral Reef Ecology

We use field and laboratory techniques that employ cutting-edge technology to better understand the complex relationships between corals and the diverse communities that they support. We are particularly interested in determining how these sensitive organisms are responding to a host of natural and human-induced changes that have been occurring in coral reef habitats over the last several decades including coral disease, coastal pollution and ocean warming and acidification.

Specifically, we are employing 1) powerful genetic tools that allow us to monitor the many facets of coral disease including immune response, resistance and resilience of coral individuals and colonies, and pathogen identity; and 2) models and in situ experiments that tease out the physiological responses of corals to environmental stressors including those posed by ocean warming and acidification.

Related Faculty
Brian Helmuth
Marine and Environmental Sciences
Mark Patterson
Marine and Environmental Sciences
Steven Vollmer
Marine and Environmental Sciences