I’m motivated to understand coastal ecology through the lens of biogeochemisty and ecosystem function. Nutrient cycling, ecosystem metabolism, and other biogeochemical processes provide essential functions in all ecosystems; in shallow coastal waters, these processes support complex, diverse and highly productive habitats. Ultimately, I hope to advance scientific understanding of coastal ecosystems in ways that will inform conservation and management and improve human impacts in the coastal zone.
I've done most of my research in seagrass meadows, primarily eelgrass (Zostera marina), on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America. My PhD research focused on nitrogen cycling in eelgrass meadows; during my first post-doc, I studied seagrass resilience to marine heat waves. Currently, I'm researching how environmental conditions influence disease outbreaks in Pacific eelgrass beds. Seagrass meadows are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth and play key roles in supporting biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and maintaining high water quality in coastal areas. Explore the links below to learn more about my research projects!
I've done most of my research in seagrass meadows, primarily eelgrass (Zostera marina), on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America. My PhD research focused on nitrogen cycling in eelgrass meadows; during my first post-doc, I studied seagrass resilience to marine heat waves. Currently, I'm researching how environmental conditions influence disease outbreaks in Pacific eelgrass beds. Seagrass meadows are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth and play key roles in supporting biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and maintaining high water quality in coastal areas. Explore the links below to learn more about my research projects!