Researchers

Bio

My research focuses on the orientation of oyster shells used on oyster mats and the effect it has on larval growth. Nutrient loading and stormwater runoff have led to heavy algal growth and pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Many groups of people are working to restore it to a healthier state. A key method in the effort to clean the lagoon is by using Oysters, Crassostrea virginica. They are a very useful organism in terms of the lagoon restoration effort due to their filter-feeding abilities. Oysters remove and consume phytoplankton from the water, preventing large algal blooms. Oysters are different from other bivalves in the way that their larva can attach to shells of previous oysters and grow. If the orientation of the shells themselves has a positive impact on the chances for oyster larvae to attach, this could have huge benefits for restoration efforts.

I am currently designing and executing a method to compare the larval production on shells that are vertically and horizontally oriented on oyster mats in the Indian River.