Research Experience

My mission is to harness the biochemical potential of marine sponges through innovative biotechnology—where cures are cultivated without compromise, and the ocean’s wisdom is preserved for generations to come. To learn more please visit the Sponge Biotechnology Laboratory website.

Inform the stewardship of Trinidad & Tobago’s mesophotic and deep seas through bathymetric mapping, the physical, chemical and biological characterization of benthic and pelagic ecosystems, and the investigation of hydrogeology, ecological connectivity, biogeography, and anthropogenic impacts.

Seagrass Resiliency

Provide an initial assessment of how molecular processes and genotypes relate to the resiliency of Halodule wrightii from the Indian River Lagoon in response to increased temperature, freshwater discharge, and light limitation.

Sponge Cell Models

Established an in vitro sponge cell model to determine the environmental limits (i.e., temperature, eutrophication, salinity, and harmful algal blooms) and thresholds of Florida reef and Indian River Lagoon sponges.

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture

We are working to incorporate sponges in to the land-based integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system to represent the benthic trophic (or feeding) level in the food web and minimize waste while maximizing efficiency and productivity.

Sponge Cell Lines

Demonstrated that an amino acid-optimized nutrient medium stimulates rapid cell division in nine sponge species. Cultures of three species were subcultured from 3 - 5 times, with an average of 5.99 population doublings after subculturing, and a lifespan from 21 to 35 days.