The Davies Marine Population Genomics Lab
We are a research lab in the Department of Biology at Boston University that started in September of 2017. Since then, the lab has grown to include exceptional PhD students (Nicola Kriefall, Hannah Aichelman, Dan Wuitchik, James Fifer, Maria Valadez Ingersoll, JK Da’Anoy, and Lili Vizer), postdocs (Dr. Colleen Bove, Dr. Carsten Grupstra), and technicians (Annabel Hughes, Kian Thompson). Our lab has also been fortunate to have a team of amazing undergraduate researchers (see Current Members to meet them!).
Our research program integrates eco-physiological experiments with large-scale genomic data to identify the mechanisms underlying adaptation, acclimation and dispersal in corals, their dinoflagellate symbionts and their microbiomes, with the ultimate goal of better predicting symbiosis outcomes under rapid climate change. Corals are an iconic example of symbiosis, due to their symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae of the family Symbiodiniaceae. However, this relationship can break down under increasing temperatures, which can ultimately lead to widespread mortality threatening the future of these ecosystem engineers.
Click through the website to learn more about us and our current projects.