Postdoctoral Researchers
|
Dr. Erin Papke
Erin first gained lab experience in harmful algal blooms in Dr. Mark Warner's lab at the University of Delaware where she graduated with a BS in Marine Science. After graduation, Erin interned at Mote Marine Lab as a coral restoration and REU intern before returning to her hometown of Pittsburgh. She worked as a lab technician in a pulmonology lab at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center before starting her PhD at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Erin's dissertation work focused on narrowing down the pathogen of stony coral tissue loss disease while working in Dr. Blake Ushijima's lab. Her experience includes coral husbandry, algal culture maintenance, microbial culturing, electron microscopy, and microbiome sequencing. |
Technicians
|
John Rigg
John is a husbandry specialist and aquarium technician working in the FAU Marine Lab as part of the Reef Symbiosis Lab. He is interested in all aspects of biological science, including but not limited to coral reef restoration, reproductive biology, and coral-algal symbiosis. His laboratory focus is primarily on developing methods for coral husbandry and ex situ spawning, and on designing/3D printing equipment to aid coral research. His main areas of interest are coral reproduction and symbiont dynamics. Ultimately he hopes to develop methods to improve coral restoration efforts and help restore Florida's damaged coral reefs. When John isn't in the laboratory, he spends his free time working on older Land Rovers and playing with his two dogs, Arya & Peanut. |
|
Graduate students
Naomi Sananikone, MSc
Originally from France, Naomi earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Sorbonne University (Paris). She then completed a Master's in Tropical Marine Ecosystems from the University of the French West Indies (Guadeloupe), investigating coral heat tolerance at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. As a PhD student, she's interested in exploring interactions that involve coral and reef fish, with a particular interest in symbiosis and microbial communities in corals. Outside the lab, Naomi codes in R for fun, writes stories when inspiration strikes, and never goes scuba diving without her camera. Caution: she vows an unshakable love for Parmesan cheese.
|
Rosanyely Santana
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Germany, Rose earned her Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from Florida International University, where she studied how chemical pollution affects fish behavior. Now for her PhD she is interested in looking at how multiple stressors can influence the relationships between corals and herbivores on reef ecosystems. In her free time, Rose enjoys scuba diving, paddleboardind all throughout Florida and playing board games, when she is not looking for new spots for the best ceviche. She also shares educational content surrounding all things marine science content on her social media, called Scie.co. P.S. she never dives without her camera, because if you don't get pictures, did you really see it? |
|
|
Divyasheel Sukhari
Divyasheel Sukhari is a Fulbright scholar from Mauritius. She earned her undergraduate degree in Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of Mauritius, where she investigated how marine mollusks respond to changing water conditions. For her master’s, she is focused on reef symbiosis, exploring how corals and their partners adapt to stress in a changing ocean. Driven by both curiosity and responsibility, Divyasheel sees science not just as research, but as action. Back home, she has led mangrove restoration efforts and ocean awareness projects through her youth-led NGO, working hand-in-hand with local communities to protect fragile marine ecosystems. Her broader mission is to help island nations like her own build resilience in the face of a shifting climate. Beyond the lab and field, Divyasheel is passionate about teaching, snorkeling in tropical lagoons, and finding new ways to connect people with the ocean she calls home. She firmly believes that life is better with sandy toes, sea breeze, and a dash of saltwater in her hair. |
Undergraduate Research Fellows
|
Daniela Etemadi
Daniela is an undergraduate student at Florida Atlantic University, majoring in biological sciences with a focus on environmental sciences. Growing up in South Florida, she has developed a strong interest in marine life and the unique ecosystems (like coral reefs) found in this region. Daniela hopes to pursue a career in marine ecology, using research to better understand and protect ecosystems throughout South Florida. Outside of work and school, Daniela loves spending time outdoors and staying active. She enjoys exploring natural areas, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. She believes any good day usually involves getting a little too much sun. |
|
|
PI: Dr. Carsten Grupstra
Born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Carsten (Cas) made his way to FAU after conducting his PhD in the Correa Lab at Rice University in Houston, TX (now at UC Berkeley) and completing a postdoc at in the Davies Lab at Boston University. He is interested in marine ecology broadly, with a specific interest -and love- for coral reefs. Carsten often combines experimental approaches with genomic tools to disentangle how corals and their microbial partners respond to various environmental stressors. In the end, his goal is to bolster coral reef conservation and restoration practices. Outside of work, he loves playing with his dog Fred, cooking, traveling (especially if diving is involved), and watching movies. Office 335, Lab 338, FAU Davie West Building Office: +1 954 236 1511 [email protected] Researchgate @c_grupstra |
