Sheila Kitchen, Associate Professor Ph.D., Oregon State University, 2016 Molecular Ecology, Evolutionary Genomics, Aquatic Symbioses Email:Kitchens.osu@gmail.com  Office:  Phone:  (631) 632-8600 Lab Website: Kitchen Lab Website

Research Summary:

Social organisms, from microbes to humans, rank among the most abundant and ecologically dominant species on Earth. These interspecies interactions rely on complex molecular, chemical and behavioral signals that are the products of underlying evolutionary changes in their genomes. Symbiotic associations also require coevolution between partners to reinforce their relationship. At the core of our work, we seek to understand the molecular and cellular phenomena that underpin symbiotic living, and how these lifestyles in turn impact the evolution of symbiotic species’ genomes.

The lab focuses on studying marine symbioses, how climate change affects these associations, and applied solutions for their conservation. We seek to identify the degree to which symbiotic partners can acclimate and/or adapt to changing environments. By employing quantitative and empirical approaches to both field-based and laboratory model systems, we work on the following research themes.