The Harvell Lab

jpa24@cornell0.edu

dmb98@cornell.edu

mep74@cornell.edu

nld6@cornell.edu

cs389@cornell.edu

Krystal's research addresses the role of disturbance (both abiotic and biotic) in structuring marine invertebrate communities. Currently she is working on the impacts of a fungal pathogen (Aspergillus sydowii) and an ovulid gastropod predator (Cyphoma gibbosum) on Caribbean gorgonian coral communities. Her research combines molecular, ecological, chemical, and natural history approaches to address the origin of the fungal pathogen in marine systems, the impacts of disease on higher trophic levels, and the potential role of snails as vectors of disease.

Jason is a member of the Harvell lab. His research focuses on using molecular techniques to understand the population dynamics of gorgonian corals and their symbionts. Jason also has experience working with coral photo-physiology and we are working together to answer some cool questions coral symbiosis. He is our expert underwater photographer.

Krystal Rypien

Jason Andras

David Baker

Morgan Mouchka

Courtney Couch

Nancy Douglas

Graduate Students, PhD Candidates

Research Specialist

I have been applying my background in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology to the investigation of coral immune responses. I am developing assays to measure and characterize the release of chitinolytic enzymes, antifungal activity, and antimicrobial peptides from immune challenged sea fans. I am also developing methods to visualize and monitor various immune factors and reactions in isolated coral cells. As part of our labs move towards molecular approaches to sea fan immunity, I am also involved in isolating the genes for immune-related factors from sea fan corals.

Nancy's CV

Undergraduate Research

Emily Rivest

ebr27@cornell.edu

Post-Doctoral Alumni

Laura Mydlarz
Assistant Professor
University of Texas, Arlington
Arlington, TX
www.uta.edu/biology/mydlarz/index.htm

Kiho Kim
Assistant Professor
Biology Department, American University
Washington, DC
kiho@american.edu

John Bruno
Assistant Professor
Department of Marine Science, UNC
Chapel Hill, NC
jbruno@unc.edu

Graduate Alumni

Jessica Ward, PhD
jrward@ucsd.edu

Andrea Graham, PhD
alg13@cornell.edu

Alisa Alker, MS
E0S Biotechnology
S. San Francisco, CA
apa3@mac.com

Dan Shapiro, PhD
Assistant Professor
California State University
Monterey, CA
Daniel_Shapiro@monterey.edu

Jordan West, PhD
IUCN- The World Conservation Union
Washington, DC
jw328@mindspring.com

Josh Nowlis
Assistant Professor
University of West Indies
St. Croix

Daniel Grumbaum
Research Associate
Dept of Zoology
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
grunbaum@zoology.washington.edu

Heidi Schwaninger,PhD
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
hs16@cornell.edu

Laurie Raymundo
Assistant Professor
Silliman University
Negros Oriental, Philippines
ljr5@cornell.edu

Dr. Harvell

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I am broadly interested in the ecology and resilience of tropical coral reef ecosystems in the midst of a myriad of human perturbations. Specifically, I am employing biogeochemical techniques to elucidate the effects of anthropogenic nutrient inputs on reef invertebrates. Currently, I am exploring the connection between nitrogen isotope ratios and coral disease from Caribbean and Indo-Pacific reefs to test the hypothesis that human derived nutrients are exacerbating coral disease worldwide.

My background is in coral reef ecology and conservation, which I have integrated into my current research on coral disease and immune defenses. As coastal development continues, I am particularly interested in relationship between disease and environmental stress. Consequently, I am using a variety of ecological, biochemical and histological techniques to understand how sea fan corals mount a cellular immune response to disease and environmental stress. In addition to my graduate research, I am also the coordinator for the Coral Disease Working Group, one of six working groups within the “Coral Reef Target Research and Capacity Building Program” funded by the World Bank.