Chelsea Bennice, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Chelsea Bennice is a marine biologist and science communicator. Her research interests include animal behavior and ecology with an expertise in octopus biology. She earned a B.S. from The Ohio State University, and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University. She is a postdoctoral research fellow at Florida Atlantic University’s Marine Lab under Dr. Jeanette Wyneken and serves as a lead scientific diver and board member for the Scientific Diving and Boating Safety Committee. Her “octo-topics” include the octopus skin microbiome, behavior, genetics, and morphology. For over 10 years (and more than 1000 hours underwater!) studying and photographing octopuses, she has been dubbed “Octo-Girl” by the local diving community.

Dr. Bennice is an advocate for bridging scientists and the community. Her responsibilities at the FAU Marine Lab also include overseeing public education/outreach projects and mentoring students in the Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Marine SEA Scholars (Science, Education and Arts) program. Her research is highlighted in popular articles and scientific publications, on podcasts, and in ocean documentaries. In her free time, she likes to get outside, get in a good workout, SCUBA dive, and practice underwater photography. She also is enjoying her new-found hobby of tropical plant-keeping. At the top of her bucket list is swimming with sperm whales!