Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Curriculum Vitae
HIGHER EDUCATION
2012: Boston University, Ph.D., Biology
2004: Johns Hopkins University, M.Sc., Cellular and Molecular Biology
2003: Johns Hopkins University, B.Sc., Cellular and Molecular Biology
EXPERIENCE
2016-present: University of Miami, RSMAS, Assistant Professorship
Primary appointment: Department of Marine and Ecology
Secondary appointment: Department of Biology
2020-present: Director of RSMAS UM Marine Invertebrate Museum
2011-2015: Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Postdoctoral Researcher
2005 – 2011: Boston University Ph.D. Graduate Researcher, and Teaching Fellow
2003 – 2004: Johns Hopkins University, Master’s Researcher
PUBLICATIONS
*: senior/ corresponding author
**: graduate student co-author
***: undergraduate student co-author
Books and monographs published:
(2) Palmer, C.V. and Traylor-Knowles, N. (2018) Cnidarian immunity: anthozoans in the hot seat. In Advances in Comparative Immunology. New York, NY, Springer.
(1) Invited Book Chapter: Emery M.***, Traylor-Knowles N.*. Methods to study the innate immune response during regeneration in the Cnidarian Nematostella vectensis, in review.
Submitted:
(1) Young B.**, Serrano X.M., Rosales S., Miller M.W., Williams D., Traylor-Knowles N.* Innate immune gene expression in Acropora palmata is consistent despite differences in yearly disease events, in revision, PloS One.
(2) Bonacolta A.***, Connelly, M.T. **, Rosales S., Del Campo J., Traylor-Knowles N.* Micro-niche sampling of the bacteriome in the Starlet Sea Anemone, Nematostella vectensis, reveals a compartment-specific dominance of Spirochetes. In review, FEMS Microbiology Ecology.
Published:
(29) Walters B.***, Connelly M.T.**, Young, B.** Traylor-Knowles N. * The Complicated Evolutionary Diversification of the Mpeg-1/Perforin-2 Family in Cnidarians. Accepted, Frontier of Immunology.
(28) Connelly M. T.**, McRae C.J., Liu P-J, and Traylor-Knowles, N.* (2020) Lipopolysaccharide treatment stimulates Pocillopora coral genotype-specific immune responses but does not alter coral-associated bacteria communities. Developmental and Comparative Immunology.109 (2020): 103717.
(27) Snyder, G.**, Browne, W.E., Traylor-Knowles, N.*, Rosental, B.* (2020) Fluorescence-activated cell sorting techniques for the isolation of scleractinian cell populations. JoVE. *co-senior authors
(26) Rosales, S. Miller, M., William, D., Young, B.**, Traylor-Knowles, N., Serrano, X. (2019) Microbiome differences in disease-resistant vs. susceptible Acropora corals subjected to disease challenge assays. Scientific Reports. 9(1): 1-11.
(25) Traylor-Knowles, N.*, Vandepas, L., Browne, W.E. (2019) Still enigmatic: innate immunity in Mnemiopsis leidyi. Integrative and Comparative Biology. Icz116. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icz116.
(24) Traylor-Knowles N.* (2019) Heat stress compromises epithelial integrity in the coral, Acropora hyacinthus. PeerJ. 7:e6510 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6510.
(23) Cunning, R., Bay, R. A., Gillette, P., Baker, A.C., and Traylor-Knowles, N*. (2018) Comparative analysis of the Pocillopora damicornis genome highlights role of immune system in coral evolution. Scientific Reports. 8(1): 8:16134. DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-34459-8.
(22) Traylor-Knowles, N.* (2018) In situ hybridization techniques for paraffin embedded adult coral samples. J. Vis. Exp. 138. DOI: 10.3791/57853.
(21) Traylor-Knowles, N*. and Connelly, M.** (2017) What is currently known about the effects of climate change on the coral immune response. Curr Clim Change Rep. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40641-017-0077-7
(20) Rosental, B., Kozhekbaeva, Z., Fernhoff, N., Tsai, J., Traylor-Knowles, N.* (2017) Coral cell separation and isolation by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). BMC Cell Biology. 18(1): 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12860-017-0146-8.
(19) Traylor-Knowles, N.*, Rose, N.H., Sheets, E.A., Palumbi, S.R. (2017) Early transcriptional responses during heat stress in the coral Acropora hyacinthus. Biological Bulletin. 232: 91–100.
(18) Traylor-Knowles, N.*, Rose, N.H., Palumbi, S.R. (2017) The cell specificity of gene expression in the response to heat stress in corals. Journal of Experimental Biology. 10: 1837-1845.
(17) Traylor-Knowles, N.* (2016) Distinctive wound healing characteristics in the corals Pocillopora damicornis and Acropora hyacinthus found in two different temperature regimes, Marine Biology. 163(231); doi: 10.1007/s00227-016-3011-y
(16) Quistad, S. and Traylor-Knowles, N (2016) Precambrian Origins of the TNFR superfamily, Cell Death and Discovery. 2; doi:10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.58.
(15) Traylor-Knowles, N., Kane, E.G., Sombatsaphay, V., Finnerty, J.R., Reitzel, A. M. (2015) Sex-specific and developmental gene expression of Dmrt-genes in the starletsea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. EvoDevo. 6 (13); doi:10.1186/s13227-015-0013-7.
(14) Palumbi, S. R., Barshis, D., Traylor-Knowles, N., Bay, R. (2014) Mechanisms of reef coral resistance to future climate change. Science. 344 (6186): 895-898; doi: 10.1126/science.1251336
(13) Traylor-Knowles, N., Palumbi, S.R. (2014) Translational environmental biology: using cell biology to inform conservation. Trends in Cell Biology. 24(5): 265-7; doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.03.001.
(12) DuBuc, T.Q., Traylor-Knowles, N., Martindale, M.Q. (2014) Initiating a regenerative response, cellular and molecular features of wound healing in the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis. BMC Biology. 12:24; doi:10.1186/1741-7007-12-24. [HIGHLY ACCESSED]
(11) Barshis, D.J., Ladner, J.T., Oliver, T.A., Seneca, F.O., Traylor-Knowles, N., Palumbi, S.R. (2013) A genomic basis for coral resilience to climate change. PNAS. 110(4): 1139-1140; doi:10.1073/iti0413110. [Cover Article]
(10) Palmer, C.V. and Traylor-Knowles, N. (2012) Towards an integrated network of coral immune mechanisms. Proc R Soc B. ; doi:10.1098/rspb.2012.1477.
(9) Traylor-Knowles, N., Granger, B., Lubinski, T., Parikh, J.R., Garamszegi, S., Xia, Y., Marto, J, Kaufman, L., Finnerty, J.R. (2011) Production of a reference transcriptome and transcriptomic database (PocilloporaBase) for the cauliflower coral, Pocillopora damicornis. BMC Genomics. 12(1): 585. PMID: 22126435. [HIGHLY ACCESSED]
(8) Palmer, C.V., Traylor-Knowles, N., Willis, B.L., and Bythell, J.C. (2011) Corals use similar immune cells and wound-healing processes as those of higher organisms. PLoS One, 6(8): e23992.
(7) Marquez, E.C., Traylor-Knowles, N., Novillo-Villajos, A., Callard, I.P. (2011) Cloning of the estrogen receptor alpha and aromatase cDNAs and gene expression in turtles (Chrysemys picta and Pseudemys scripta) exposed to different environments. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part C. 154: 213-225. doi:10.1016/j.cbpc.2011.05.008
(6) Marquez, E.C., Traylor-Knowles, N., Novillo-Villajos, A., and Callard, I.P. (2011) Novel cDNA sequences of aryl hydrocarbon receptors in turtles (Chrysemys picta and Pseudemys scripta) and changes in gene expression in turtles exposed to different environments, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part C. 154(4): 305-17.
(5) Wolenski, F.S., Garbati, M.R., Lubinski, T, Traylor-Knowles, N., Dresselhaus, E., Stefanik, D., Goucher,H., Finnerty, J.R., Gilmore, T.D. (2010) Characterization of the core elements of the NF-kB signaling pathway in the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. Molecular and Cellular Biology. doi:10.1128/MCB.00927-10
(4) Traylor-Knowles, N., Hansen, U., Dubuc, T.Q., Martindale, M. Q., Kaufman, L., Finnerty, J.R. (2010) The evolutionary diversification of LSF and Grainyhead transcription factors preceded the radiation of basal animal lineages. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 10:101. [HIGHLY ACCESSED]
(3) Sullivan, J.C., Wolenski, F.S., Reitzel, A.M., French, C.E., Traylor-Knowles, N., Gilmore, T.D., and Finnerty, J.R. (2009) Two alleles encoding transcription factor NF-kB in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis are widely distributed in natural populations and encode proteins with distinct DNA-binding and transactivation activities. PLoS One, 4:10, e7311.
(2) Reitzel A.M., Sullivan, J.C., Traylor-Knowles, N., Finnerty, J.R. (2008) Genomic survey of stress-response genes in the estuarine anemone Nematostella vectensis. The Biological Bulletin. 214: 233-54.
(1) Domart-Coulon, I. J., Traylor-Knowles, N., Peters, E.; Elbert, D., Downs, C.A., Price, K., Stubbs, J., McLaughlin, S., Cox, E., Aeby, G., Brown, P. R., and Ostrander, G. K. (2006) Comprehensive characterization of skeletal tissue growth anomalies of the finger coral Porites compressa. Coral Reefs. 25 (4): 531-543.
Invited National And International Symposium Speaker:
**: graduate student co-author
***: undergraduate student co-author
Nikki Traylor-Knowles, schedule July 28, 2020. On the Front Lines of Coral Disease. ASM Microbe Live, Online Virtual Panel.
Traylor-Knowles, 2019. From cells to genes: the surprising innate immune system of Pocillopora damicornis. 2nd International Forum of Coral Reef, Hainan, China.
Traylor-Knowles, 2019. Eco‐immunity And Coral Conservation: Do Coral Cells Hold the Key to the Future? Gordon Conference: Marine Molecular Ecology, Hong Kong.
Traylor-Knowles, L.E. Vandepas, W.E. Browne, 2019. “Ctenophore Immunity: A Journey into the unknown. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Tampa, FL.
Other Conference Talks: (since 2008)
**: graduate student
***: undergraduate student
Traylor-Knowles, G.A. Snyder**, M.T. Connelly**, W.E. Browne, B. Rosental, scheduled for 2021. From Cells to Genes: The Surprising Immune System of Pocillopora damicornis. International Coral Reef Symposium, Bremen, Germany.
M.T. Connelly**, C. J. McRae, P.J. Liu, N. Traylor-Knowles, scheduled for 2021. Experimental treatment of Pocillopora corals with LPS stimulates genotype-specific immune responses but does not alter associated bacteria communities. International Coral Reef Symposium, Bremen, Germany.
Snyder**, B. Rosental, W.E. Browne, N. Traylor-Knowles, scheduled for 2021.Transcriptional And Microbial Variation Across Coral Cell Types Using Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting. International Coral Reef Symposium, Bremen, Germany.
B.Young**, X. Serreno, M. Miller, S. Rosales, and N. Traylor-Knowles, scheduled for 2021. Signatures of disease resistance for the threatened Caribbean branching coral, Acropora palmata. International Coral Reef Symposium, Bremen, Germany.
Demerlis**, I.C. Enochs, A. Kirkland, Nikki Traylor-Knowles, A. Mayfield, N. Formel, D.P. Manzello, D. Lirman, scheduled for 2021. Variable temperature treatments alter a coral’s response to acute thermal stress. International Coral Reef Symposium, Bremen, Germany.
L.E. Vandepas, C. Stefani, N. Traylor-Knowles, W. E. Browne, F. W. Goetz, Adam Lacy-Hulbert, 2020. Tick, Tick, Boom: Exploring diverse immune cell behaviors in ctenophores and oysters. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Austin, TX.
W. E. Browne, L. E Vandepas, A. C Dieter**, G. A. Snyder**, N. Traylor-Knowles, 2019. Ctenophore phagocyte behavior in response to microbial challenge. Pan-American EvoDevo Conference, Miami, FL.
Traylor-Knowles, 2019. Ecoimmunity of corals. Israeli-American Kavli Frontiers of Science Symposium, Jerusalem, Israel. Note: flash talk.
M.T. Connelly**, C.J. McRae, P-J Liu, N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Differential immune gene expression of Pocillopora damicornis corals in response to antibiotics treatment, heat stress, and lipopolysaccharide exposure. Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference, Miami, FL.
Snyder**and N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Transcriptional and microbial characterization of scleractinian coral cell populations separated by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). Cnidofest, St. Augustine, FL.
Snyder**and N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Transcriptional and microbial characterization of scleractinian coral cell populations separated by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference, Miami, FL.
Snyder**and N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Transcriptional and microbial characterization of scleractinian coral cell populations separated by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance (GIGA) III Conference, Curaçao.
Young**, X. Serreno, M. Miller, S. Rosales, and N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Signatures of disease resistance for the threatened Caribbean branching coral, Acropora palmata. Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference, Miami, FL. Note: Student Award: Honorable mention for best talk
Young**, X. Serreno, M. Miller, S. Rosales, and N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Signatures of disease resistance for the threatened Caribbean branching coral, Acropora palmata. Reef Futures, Key Largo, FL. Note: Student Awards: Fully funded scholarship for registration and accommodation, won best talk for research that should be published
Traylor-Knowles, G. Snyder**, M.T. Connelly**, W.E. Browne, B. Rosental, 2018. From Cells To Genes The Surprising Immune System Of Pocillopora damicornis. Cnidofest, St. Augustine, FL.
M.T. Connelly**, C.J. McRae, P-J Liu, Nikki Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Patterns of Pocillopora damicornis immune gene expression in response to antibiotics treatment, heat stress, and lipopolysaccharide exposure, Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance (GIGA) III Conference, Curaçao.
Traylor-Knowles and S. Palumbi, 2016. Fine –scale sampling of A. hyacinthus during an acute heat shock, illuminates potential immune gene reactions and interactions International Coral Reef Symposium, Honolulu, HI.
Traylor-Knowles and S. Palumbi, 2016.The evolution of innate immunity: what can hot corals tell us? Comparative Immunology. Miami, FL.
Traylor-Knowles, S. Palumbi, 2015. The Mechanisms of Eco-immunity In A Changing Environment. Evolution, Guraruja, Brazil.
Traylor-Knowles, 2015. Some do (not) like it hot: the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor in heat stressed corals. Israeli American Kavli Frontiers of Science Symposium, Jerusalem, Israel. Note: flash talk.
Traylor-Knowles, F. Seneca, S. Palumbi. 2014 Some (do not) Like It Hot: The Role of The Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor In Heat Stressed Corals. Evolution, Raleigh, NC.
Traylor-Knowles, 2014. Some (Do Not) Like It Hot: The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor In Heat Stressed Corals North American Comparative Immunology Workshop, Albuquerque, NM.
Traylor-Knowles, F. Seneca, S. Palumbi, 2013. Some Like It Hot: The Role of The Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor In Heat Stressed Corals. The International Conference on Coelenterate Biology. Eilat, Israel.
Traylor-Knowles, S. Palumbi, 2013. What Is the Role of TNFR in Cnidarians? Nematostella Workshop, The International Conference on Coelenterate Biology. Eilat, Israel.
Traylor-Knowles, F. Seneca, S. Palumbi, 2013. Some Like It Hot: The Role of The Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor In Heat Stressed Corals. Evolution, Snowbird, UT.
Traylor-Knowles. 2011. Taiwan Rocks! National Science Foundation, East Asian and Pacific Summer Institute Conference.
Traylor-Knowles, B. Granger, T. Lubinski, L. Kaufman, J.R. Finnerty, 2012. Immunity and the coral “holobiont”: What genomics and transcriptomics can tell us about this delicate relationship. International Coral Reef Symposium, Cairns, AUS.
Traylor-Knowles, J.R. Parikh, T. Lubinski, B. Granger, S. Garamszegi, L. Kaufman, & J.R. Finnerty, 2010. A Stress-Enriched Transcriptome for Pocillopora damicornis International Society of Reef Studies, Wagenigen, The Netherlands.
Traylor-Knowles, A.M. Reitzel and J. R. Finnerty, 2010. dentification and expression of genes for sex determination in the starlet sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Seattle, WA.
Traylor-Knowles, A.M. Reitzel, J. Sullivan, J.R. Finnerty, 2008. The Initial Characterization of the Defensome in the Model Cnidarian, Nematostella vectensis and its Applications to Coral Reefs. International Coral Reef Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Poster presentations:
Cynthia Blanco***, Grace Snyder**, Nikki Traylor-Knowles, 2019. The Effect of Lipopolysaccharides on Starlet Sea Anemone, Nematostella vectensis. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. Anaheim, CA.
Traylor-Knowles, 2019. Ecoimmunity of corals. Israeli American Kavli Frontiers of Science Symposium, Jerusalem, Israel.
J.D. Nowotny***, G.A. Snyder**, M.T. Connelly**, B. Rosental, and N. Traylor-Knowles, 2019. Working towards the establishment of long-term cnidarian cell culture and stem cell characterization through FACS. RSMAS Undergraduate Poster Symposium, Miami, FL.
A.M. Bonacolta***, M.T. Connelly**, S. Rosales, GA Snyder**, N. Traylor-Knowles, 2019. Organismal compartmentalization of the microbiome in the starlet sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. RSMAS Undergraduate Poster Symposium, Miami, FL.
Howson***, J. Daly*** and N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Cell apoptosis during wound healing and regeneration in Nematostella vectensis. RSMAS Undergraduate Poster Symposium, Miami, FL.
Daly***, M. Howson***, and N. Traylor- Knowles, 2018. Apoptosis and Proliferation During Regeneration in Nematostella vectensis. RSMAS Undergraduate Poster Symposium, Miami, FL.
M.T. Connelly**, C.J. McRae, P-J Liu, N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Patterns of Pocillopora damicornis immune gene expression in response to antibiotics treatment, heat stress, and lipopolysaccharide exposure. Cnidofest, St. Augustine, FL.
Young**, X. Serreno, M. Miller, S. Rosales, and N. Traylor-Knowles, 2018. Signatures of disease resistance for the threatened Caribbean branching coral, Acropora palmata. Cnidofest, St. Augustine, FL.
Traylor-Knowles, 2015. Some do (not) like it hot: the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor in heat stressed corals. Israeli American Kavli Frontiers of Science Symposium, Jerusalem, Israel.
Traylor-Knowles, F. Seneca, M. Mikhail, S. Palumbi, 2014. The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor in Heat Stressed Corals. Midwinter Immunology Conference, Pacific Grove, CA.
Traylor-Knowles, J. Parikh, L. Kaufman, J.R. Finnerty, 2010. First Look at the Stress Transcriptome of the Lace Coral, Pocillopora damicornis: Using “Next Generation” Sequencing. Boston University Engineering and Science Day, Boston, MA.
Traylor-Knowles, U. Hansen, T. Dubuc, M.Q. Martindale, L. Kaufman And J.R. Finnerty, 2009. The evolutionary diversification of LSF and Grainy head transcription factors preceded the radiation of basal animals. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Boston, MA.
PROFESSIONAL
Active Grant Funding-Research
2020-2023:
Award #: 2001892, “Digitization TCN: Collaborative Research: Documenting marine biodiversity through Digitization of Invertebrate collections (DigIn)**” PI: Nikki Traylor- Knowles. Total Award : $170,070. **Note: this is multi-PI collaborative grant with 17 other institutions.
2020-2023:
Award #: 2013692, “Innate immune system function in the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi” Lead PI: William E. Browne, co-PI Nikki Traylor-Knowles. Total Award: $1, 089,389. Traylor-Knowles awarded: $286,268. Start date: September 1, 2020.
2020-2023:
Award #: 1951826, “NSF-BSF: Live Cellular Immune Mechanisms in Corals under Heat Stress.” Lead PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, National Science Foundation. Total Award: $437,894. Start date: July 1, 2020.
2020-2022:
Revive and Restore Foundation: “Development of coral stem cells treatment for the recovery and restoration of corals.” Lead PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Collaborator: Benyamin Rosental. Total Award: $580,000. Start date: June 30, 2020.
2019-2020:
“Development of A Biomarker System for SCTLD in Four Species of Caribbean Coral.” Lead PI Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Total Award: $88,202.
2019-2020:
“The Role of Algal Symbionts (Genus Breviolum) In the Susceptibility Of Corals To Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease In South Florida.” Lead PI: Andrew Baker (University of Miami) co-PIs: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Stephanie Rosales (AOML/CIMAS), Javier Del Campo (University of Miami). Total Award: $83,466, Traylor-Knowles awarded: $25,850.
2019-2020:
“Do the Cumulative Effects of Temperature Acclimation, Bleaching and Disease In A. palmata Affect Disease Resistance?” Lead PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Protect Our Reefs-Mote Marine Laboratory. Total Award: $14,376.96.
2019-2020:
“Stem Cell Population Characterization in Corals” Lead PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles. University of Miami Provost Award. Total Award: $17,000.
2019-2022:
“Molecular mechanisms behind AOML’s CRCP Restoration Pillar.” Lead PI: Ian Enochs (NOAA), co-PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles. Total Award: $150,000
Active Grant Funding-Education
2020-2021:
“Preservation, Digitization and Education Through the RSMAS Invertebrate Museum.” Lead PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, University of Miami CREATE Award. Total Award: $6000
Past Grant Funding-Research
2018-2019:
“Microbial Endosymbiosis Within Specialized- Cell Populations Of Corals.” Lead PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, University of Miami Provost Award. Total Award: $17,000.
2018-2019:
“ Gene expression analysis of Acropora cervicornis to establish mechanism of disease resistance” Contractor: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Mote Marine Labs. Total Award: $30,000.
2017-2019:
“ Disease Resistance in Caribbean Coral.” Lead PIs: Xaymara Serrano (AOML/CIMAS), Stephanie Rosales (AOML/CIMAS), Team Partner: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, NOAA: Coral Reef Conservation Program, Total Award $40,000.
2013-2016:
“Some like it hot: the role of the tumor necrosis factor receptor in heat stress corals” Lead PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Postdoctoral Enrichment Program Award, Burroughs Wellcome Fund: Total Award: $60,000.
2013-2015:
“Some like it hot: the role of the tumor necrosis factor receptor in heat stress corals” Lead PI: Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Ocean Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Science Foundation, Total Award: $170,000.
Editorial responsibilities:
2020-present:
Topic Editor, “Innate immunity in early diverging metazoans”, Frontiers in Immunology
Professional and honorary organizations:
2019-present: Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Honor Society, Associate Member
2014-2016: Pan American EvoDevo Society
2010-13,18-present: Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
2008-present: International Coral Reef Society
Honors and awards:
2019: 1) Sigma Xi Research Honor Society, Inducted as an Associate Member
2) University of Miami, Provost Award
2018:
University of Miami, Provost Award
2011:
Boston University, Honorable mention for best dissertation.
2007:
Boston University, George R. Bernard Travel Grant Award,
2003:
Johns Hopkins University, Departmental Biology Honors
Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships:
2013- 2016:
Postdoctoral Enrichment Program Award, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Total Award: $60,000
2013-2015:
Ocean Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Science Foundation, Total Award: $170,000
2011:
Warren-McLeod Marine Biology Fellowship
2010:
Fellowship, NSF East Asia Pacific and Summer Institutes, Taiwan
2009-2010:
Warren-McLeod Marine Biology Fellowship
2008-2009:
Teaching Fellowship, Boston University
2007-2008:
Training Grant, National Institute of Health, Boston University
2005-2007:
Teaching Fellowship, Boston University
Invited Departmental Seminars
2020:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (Virtual due to COVID: scheduled for 11/5/20)
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD (Virtual due to COVID: scheduled 12/2/2020)
2019:
University of Miami, Human Genetics and Genomics Retreat, Miami, FL
University of Miami, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Miami, FL
2016:
University of Miami, Department of Biology, Miami, FL
NOVA Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL
Florida International University, Miami, FL
University of Miami, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Miami, FL
2015:
University of California, Davis, Bodega Marine Labs, Bodega, CA
University of Miami, RSMAS, Miami, FL
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
2014:
San Diego State University, Coral Club, Rohwer Lab, San Diego, CA
Hatfield Marine Station, Newport, OR
Oregon State University, Weis Lab, Corvallis, OR
UC Santa Barbara, Hofmann Lab, Santa Barbara, CA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Thompson Lab, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Extavour Lab, Cambridge, MA
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Tarrant Lab, Woods Hole, MA
Northeastern University, Vollmer Lab, Nahant, MA
University of Texas-Arlington, Mydlarz Lab, Arlington, TX
University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Reitzel Lab, Charlotte, NC
2013:
Romberg Tiberon Center, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
2011:
National Science Foundation, EAPSI Pre-departure Panel, Washington D.C.
2010:
Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Lab, Pacific Grove, CA
Harvard University, Extavour Lab, Cambridge, MA
National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Heng Chun, Taiwan
Boston University, Boston, MA
2006:
Boston University, Boston, MA
2004:
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Public Speaking Engagements:
2019:
1) Gordon Conference Power Hour, Hong Kong
2) Peace Mural PBS Interview, Miami, FL
3) Why Research at RSMAS Matters, UM, RSMAS, Miami, FL
4) University of Miami, Marine Science Major, Undergraduate Talk, Miami, FL
2018:
1) Parents Weekend Presentation, UM, RSMAS, Miami, FL
2) Climate Change Cinema Series Panel, Miami, FL
2015:
Jumpstart Your Academic Career, Job Search Panel, Palo Alto, CA
Review Panels:
2020: 1) Virtual Panelist, NSF BIO, Evolutionary Processes
2) Panel reviewer, NSF BIO IEP.
2019: Ad hoc reviewer Schmidt Ocean Institute.
2019: Ad hoc Swiss National Science Foundation, European Research Council.
2016-present: Ad hoc reviewer, NSF BIO OCE.
2015: Ad hoc reviewer, NSF Ocean Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant Reviewer.
2014: Ad hoc Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund US-Israel.
2011: GEO Research Panel: NSF East Asia Pacific and Summer Institutes.
Invited Workshops:
2021: STEMwrite Institute, University of Minnesota
2019: Coral Disease Technical Workshop, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, St. Petersburg, FL
2012: iRITE-iSPEAK Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
2014: Jumpstart Your Academic Career, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
2007: Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology-Edwin Pauley Program
Symposium, conference and working group committees:
2019-present: Sub-team leader for research team: Immunity/’omics response to “Stony Coral Tissue Loss”
2019- 2020: Chair of International Coral Reef Society session on Coral Immunity, Bremen, GER
2017-19: Symposium Co-chair, Kavli Frontiers, National Academy of Science, Jerusalem, Israel
2016: Co-chair of ICRS session: Coral immunity, Honolulu, HI
2015: 1) Chair of Evolution session: Climate I, Guraruja, Brazil
2) Israeli American Kavli Frontiers of Science, National Academy of Science
2014: Co-chair of Evolution session: Gene Expression, Raleigh, NC
2012:
1) Stanford Postdoctoral Representative, Annual Biomedical Conference for Minority Students, San Jose, CA
2) Co-chair of International Coral Reef Society first session of Coral Immunity, Cairns, AUS
Professional Development
2020: Faculty Women of Color Conference, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2019-2020: CTSI Research Mentoring Training Program, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine.
2018: Development of workshop, with my graduate student Mike Connelly: The CompBio-athon Workshop: Learning Computational Skills Through Teamwork and Leadership
2017:
1) Summer Writing Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
2) R01 Bootcamp, University of Miami, Miami, FL
2016-present:
Online Program: Faculty Success Program
2015:
Jumpstart Your Academic Career, Job Search Panel
Awards and fellowship of graduate and undergraduate students under my mentorship
**: graduate student
***: undergraduate student
2020:
1) Allyson Demerlis**, RSMAS David Rowland Endowed Fellowship, $2500.
2019:
1) J. Nowotny***, University of Miami, Linda Farmer Research Award (First Annual Recipient), $2500.
2) B. Walters***, University of Miami, Mastriani Award, $2000.
3) A. Boncolta***, University of Miami, SURGE (Small Undergraduate Research Grant Experience), $800.
4) M. Xi***, University of Miami, Mastriani award, $600.
5) B. Young**, Explorers Grant, $3000.
2018:
1) M. Connelly**, RSMAS David Rowland Endowed Fellowship, $2500.
2) M. Connelly**, Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) Scholarship, $5000.
3) M. Connelly**, Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance (GIGA)Travel Scholarship, $800.
4) B. Young**, Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference, Honorable mention for best talk
5) B. Young**, Reef Futures, student travel and registration scholarship, $3000.
6) B. Young**, Reef Futures, Award for Best Student Talk.
7) Nowotny***, University of Miami SURGE (Small Undergraduate Research Grant Experience), $800.
2017:
1) M. Connelly**, Graduate Career Development Fund for CompBio-athon Workshop, $2500.
2016:
1) M. Connelly**, NSF, East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute (EAPSI) Taiwan Fellow, $5,000.
2) M. Connelly**, University of Miami Graduate Fellowship
SERVICE
2019: UM Marine Invertebrate Museum, Co-Chair
2018: Faculty Search Committee, Environmental Biologist
2018-present: RSMAS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee member
Community Activities:
2018-present: Women in science day, University of Miami, RSMAS, Miami, FL
2017- 2019: Israeli American Kavli Frontiers of Science Organizing Committee
2017-present: Advisor mentor: HHMI Bridge program
2017: Graduate of Leadership Miami, Year 38, Miami Chamber of Commerce
2016: Panel speaker, “Getting an Academic Job”, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
2015: Director, Young Women in Science Day, Stanford, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA
2014:
1) Postdoctoral Science Management Series Liaison, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford, CA
2) Mentorship Training, Cal State Monterey Bay
3) Stanford Graduate Diversity Research Presenter, Stanford University
2012:
Science Fair Judge, Olosenga-Ofu Elementary School, American Samoa
1999-2003
Student Director and Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins Tutorial Project
Media coverage:
2019:
“Rosenstiel School Events Aims to Encourage Schoolgirls into Marine Science Careers,” Key News, November 21, 2019, by Briana Gibbs.
2018:
1) “Hawaii is banning sunscreen to protect corals. But what about your skin?” May 07, 2018, Stephanie Pappas.
2) “The unique immunity in a common coral species could save coral reefs,” DiscoverWildlife, November 19, 2018, by Emily Gobbett.
3) “Widespread coral species shows unique adaptations against environmental changes,” Zmescience, November 2, 2018, by Alexandru Micu.
4) “Unique immunity genes in one widespread coral species,” ScienceDaily, November 1, 2018.
2011:
“Coral Whisperers Diagnose Reef Pollution Woes” New Scientist, February 24, 2011, by Sonia Van Gilder Cooke.