Maya Powell
Education
PhD Candidate
Research Interests
Coral Reefs
Research and Activities
Coral reefs are under significant stress due to anthropogenic climate change, and there is poor understanding of their associated microbial communities. I am studying coral-associated microbiomes and their influence on coral stress resistance.
I will be sampling, sequencing, and conducting RTE’s in Belize and Curacao over the next few years to compare and contrast these ecosystems and the differences in microbial makeup between favorable and unfavorable conditions. I hope to uncover the mechanisms behind coral acclimation via their microbiome and possible future avenues for reef restoration.