Members
Group Photo: August 2025
DR. SARAH W. DAVIES
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Google Scholar Bluesky GitHub
Sarah hails from Canada and her path to Boston University took her through University of Victoria, University of Calgary, UT Austin and, UNC Chapel Hill. She is largely interested in understanding why some organisms are winners and others are losers, and what this means in the context of rapidly changing environments. Sarah lives for travel, hiking, Halloween, brewery tastings, and now enjoys experiencing these things (minus the beer) with her daughters Kingsley and Kennedy.
DR. SHELBY GANTT
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
Google Scholar Website
Shelby earned a B.S. in Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.S. in Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, before completing a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her doctoral research focused on how wild and captive environments influence the physiology and function of coral hosts and their microbial symbionts. As an NSF-OCE Postdoctoral Fellow in the Davies lab, Shelby will study the impact of environmental factors on corals in both marginal and non-marginal habitats of Panama. Her research aims to understand how coral lineage and varying reproductive investments between sexes influence the sex ratios of a gonochoric coral species, Siderastrea siderea, in different environments. Outside of her scientific pursuits, Shelby enjoys all kinds of crafting, baking sweets, and exploring the natural world.
DR. BENJAMIN GLASS
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
GoogleScholar
Ben earned a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in English from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. Ben’s doctoral research focused on the effects of climate change stressors including ocean warming, acidification, and deoxygenation on the early life stages of corals and sea anemones. As a joint postdoc between the Davies and Gilmore labs at BU, Ben will be pursuing research questions related to cnidarian ecology, evolution, and immunity. Outside the lab, Ben enjoys doing anything outdoors, especially in the summer, and spending time with family and friends.
JERIC “JK” DA-ANOY
PhD STUDENT
ResearchGate Twitter
JK studies the role of innate immunity in cnidarian stress biology, with a focus on how symbiosis and sex shape immune function across environmental contexts. His dissertation investigates the conserved immune transcription factor NF-κB and related immune pathways in Nematostella vectensis, Aiptasia, and both facultatively and obligately symbiotic corals. Specifically, he examines how algal symbiosis restructures host immunity and whether hosting different algal symbionts alters immune responses under stress and pathogen exposure. He also investigates how biological sex influences innate immunity across cnidarians, using pharmacological approaches to test whether immune dimorphism is mechanistically linked to sex-specific signaling pathways. JK employs an integrative approach combining molecular and cell biology, physiology, behavior, and functional genomics to uncover the mechanisms underlying cnidarian immunity, symbiosis, and stress resilience.
LILI VIZER
PhD STUDENT
GitHub GoogleScholar
Lili is originally from Hungary but has been living in Scotland for the past 6 years. She completed her BSc in Marine Biology at the University of Aberdeen and received an MSc in Evolutionary Genetics from the University of Edinburgh. She is particularly interested in the genetics, evolution, and ecology of marine species. She joined the Biology PhD program at BU to combine her interests and work with Sarah Davies and Pete Buston. Her research focuses on understanding the genetic underpinnings of the competitive growth, induced by social behavior, displayed in Clown Anemonefish. In her free time, Lili likes hiking, nature photography, eating good food and sleeping.
MU-HAN CHEN
PhD STUDENT
Mu-Han obtained her B.S. in Life Science and B.B.A. in International Business from National Taiwan University. Her passion for nature motivated her to pursue an M.S. in Marine Biology at the University of Bremen in Germany, where she specialized in the chemical ecology of phytoplankton holobionts. Currently, she is thrilled to embark on her next adventure exploring coral holobionts in the Davies Lab. Apart from science, she enjoys jogging, swimming, stargazing, and cuddling with her cat.
ALLY SWANK
PhD STUDENT
Ally earned their B.S. from Ball State University in Indiana and completed their M.S. at Auburn University in Alabama, focusing on the ecology and evolution of marine systems under environmental stress. During their Ph.D. in the Davies Lab, they are excited to explore adaptation of corals at the population- and individual-level. If they aren’t in the lab, you’ll find them climbing, playing soccer, frolicking in the waves on the nearest beach, or shopping for a wild pair of socks (you’d be impressed with their collection).
ZOÉ CHAMOT
PhD STUDENT
Zoé is originally from France, where she completed a BA in Philosophy and a BSc in Biology at Sorbonne Université, followed by an MSc in Genomics, Ecology, and Evolution at École Normale Supérieure (Paris Sciences & Lettres University). Her research focuses on the intersection of behavioral ecology, genetics, and the evolution of coral reef fish. At BU, Zoé is investigating the genetic mechanisms behind the plasticity of larval dispersal in clownfish, working with the Buston and Davies labs. Outside the lab, she enjoys skiing, snorkeling, and eating good cheese.
ADRIAN CHEH
PhD STUDENT
Adrian earned a B.S. In Marine Biology from UCLA and an M.S. in Biology from California State University, Northridge. Adrian’s M.S. research focused on the physiology of tropical corals in thermally fluctuating environments. During his Ph.D. In the Davies lab, Adrian is excited to continue exploring the effects of thermal fluctuations on coral plasticity and thermal tolerance. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, spending time in nature/hiking, and cooking/baking!
KIAN THOMPSON
AQUARIUM TECHNICIAN
Kian is a recent Boston University graduate with a BA in Marine Science and a minor in Japanese. He continues to pursue his interest in marine life through working in the Davies Lab, Buston Lab, and the BUMP Lab. He has always loved marine animals and visiting aquariums from a very young age, especially in Japan, and he had marine aquariums at home for a few years. He enjoys cooking, snorkeling in warm places, occasional fishing, and going on drives!
ADEN NAGREE
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN/INCOMING PhD STUDENT
Aden recently graduated from Boston University with a BA in Marine Science. He is from San Francisco and has been obsessed with all things marine since he can remember. His experiences open water swimming and tide-pooling in California’s marine habitats and as marine lab steward at NatureBridge made him eager to join the Davies lab. In particular he is excited to understand the far reaching effects that environmental stressors have on marine organisms. Currently, his research focuses on how heat waves and cold spells affect important Caribbean reef builders amidst a changing climate. In his free time he enjoys running, exploring the city for good eats, and babying his plants.
CHLOE COSTA
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN
Chloe has recently graduated from BU with a major in marine science, and is currently working in the Davies Lab as a lab technician. She has lived in Massachusetts her whole life. She has always had a deep fascination with the ocean and a fascination for the environment. She is interested in the interactions of symbiosis, infection, and glucose enrichment in cnidarians. She is thankful to continue learning and researching in the Davies lab over the summer before moving to Santa Cruz to begin graduate school. In her free time, she likes to draw, explore, game, and hang out with her pets.
JAMES SCHIPFER
SMITHSONIAN RESEARCH INTERN
James is a recent BU graduate with a degree in Marine Science and a minor in Business Administration on the Pre-Veterinary track. Despite growing up in Kansas City, James has always had a fascination with the water and marine life. He is passionate about environmental conservation and animal science. Additionally, James has developed an interest in the intersection between science and business through his courses and extracurriculars. He is particularly interested in understanding how corals respond to changing climate conditions and increased environmental pressures, and the implications global change has on oceanic health. His current work in the Davies lab aims to understand Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease susceptibility in cryptic lineages of Siderastrea siderea corals. In his free time, James enjoys swimming, snowboarding, spending time with friends, and trying new restaurants.
ANNA WINTER
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Anna is a freshman majoring in Marine Science. She is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and fell in love with the ocean in middle school. Her trip to Belize when she was younger led her to develop a fascination with coral reefs and the symbiont relationships produced there. She was very eager to join a lab at BU to further understand the ocean and its complexities. She is incredibly excited to be a part of the Davies Lab. In her free time she loves to swim, cook, and exploring.
CHRISTINA MOORE
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Christina Moore is a Sophomore studying Marine Science on the Pre-Veterinary track. Her love for marine science began in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, where she conducted a population study of American Oystercatchers on Napatree Point. 4She loves surfing, dancing, and taking care of her two dogs. She is thrilled to be working with corals in the Davies Lab!
KATIE SMITH
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Katie is a rising junior at Boston University majoring in Biology with a specialization in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Genetics. Growing up on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, sparked her deep appreciation for marine and animal life. She hopes to combine her passion for animals with her interest in genetics to explore how genetic information can be used to better understand and support living systems. Before joining the Davies Lab, Katie worked in the Buston lab where she helped care for and collect data on clown anemonefish. This experience reaffirmed her love for aquatic life and led her to the Davies Lab. She is excited to build her molecular skills this summer as part of the Davies team. Outside the lab, Katie enjoys boating, cooking, and spending time with friends.
SAGE ANDREWS
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Sage is currently a sophomore studying Biology ECB, with a minor in marine science. Sage grew up sailing and snorkeling on Kāne‘ohe Bay, Hawai’i, quickly becoming enamored by its unique coral ecosystems. During her junior and senior years of high school, she conducted her own coral research, studying the anthropogenic impact on coral bleaching, and presented her findings at local, state, and international levels. In her free time, Sage enjoys spending time outdoors running, skiing, or on the Charles with the BU sailing team. She is also ecstatic to have the opportunity to work in the Davies Lab!
ELISE CHICK
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Elise Chick is a junior at Boston University, majoring in Marine Science with a minor in Art History. Originally from Washington State, she grew up surrounded by the ocean, which sparked her lifelong curiosity about marine life. Her fascination with sharks inspired her to merge her love of art and science, often spending time drawing marine creatures and researching them for fun. Elise hopes to pursue marine research after graduation and eventually attend law school to become an environmental lawyer, aiming to protect ocean ecosystems through effective environmental law and policy. Outside of academics, she enjoys hiking, spending time on the water, and creating art that celebrates the natural world.
KATE PELLETIER
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Kate is a junior studying marine science with a minor in business. She is from upstate New York and has spent her life around lakes and oceans. She is excited to explore the effects that the rapidly changing environment has on corals. In her free time, she enjoys diving, hiking, making pottery, and reading!
GRACE CUMMISKEY
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Grace Cummiskey is a freshman from Narragansett, Rhode Island, studying Biology on the pre-dental track. Her interest in marine life stems from growing up by the ocean and working on her grandfather’s oyster farm. Grace is excited to begin research in the Davies Marine Lab, where she hopes to explore how changing environmental conditions affect the partnership between corals and their symbiotic algae. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new restaurants around the city, painting, and playing tennis!
DAVID IBBETT
HONORARY MEMBER, MUSIC COMPOSER
Multiverse
WPI
David Ibbett, Ph.D. is a composer, educator and musical advocate for science. Based in Boston, he is a Professor at WPI and directs the Multiverse Concert Series, a project that combines music and science in live performance. His lifelong passion for science began with his father, Dr. Roger Ibbett, who is a research chemist in Nottingham, UK. David and Sarah have been collaborating on Reef Music events since 2018!