If we knew what we were doing,
it would not be called research, would it?
Albert Einstein
Research
In the lab we cover a range of areas within ecology, molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and more.
Read more about our current projects and the resources in our lab below.
CURRENT PROJECTS
eDNA biodiversity and reproductive monitoring
We are using environmental DNA (eDNA) as a non-destructive tool to study marine biodiversity and ecological processes. This includes replacing destructive trawling surveys with eDNA sampling, uncovering hidden biodiversity in mesophotic reefs, and contributing to international biodiversity databases. In parallel, we are developing molecular assays and probes to track reproductive activity in marine species over long time scales, offering new insights into seasonal and multi-year reproductive patterns.
Our lab is creating new approaches that bridge classical taxonomy with genomics. Using ARMS (Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures), we combine traditional taxonomy and phylogenetics with metabarcoding to document colonizing communities in the Mediterranean Sea. We are also developing non-invasive swab sampling techniques, providing taxonomically verified baselines that support future genomic research and biodiversity monitoring.
Molecular tools and non-invasive sampling
Echinoderm Population Monitoring and Mass Mortality Events
Our lab conducts biannual surveys of echinoderm populations in the Red Sea to track long-term trends in abundance and community structure. This monitoring has enabled us to detect and document mass mortality events (MMEs), including two recent large-scale die-offs of sea urchins. By linking regular population surveys with ecological and genetic analyses, we aim to understand the drivers of these events and their impacts on reef ecosystems.
Using advanced imaging and Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) systems, we investigate reproductive behavior, sperm performance, kinship, and population genetic structure. These approaches link individual-level reproductive traits with ecological and evolutionary patterns, providing a deeper understanding of how reproduction shapes marine populations over space and time.
