Dr. Joshua Voss is an Assistant Research Professor at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and a member of the Integrative Biology PhD program faculty. This year, members of the Voss Lab successfully presented their research at the 2017 Benthic Ecology Meeting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Biology Master's student Danielle Dodge was awarded “Best Graduate Student Poster Presentation” for her thesis research regarding coral population genetics and gene expression responses to estuarine discharge. Michael Studivan, a candidate in the Integrative Biology PhD program, gave two oral presentations from his dissertation research on the CIOERT mesophotic project. Alycia Shatter is another member of the Voss Lab and a Biology Master's student. Her poster focused on her thesis research regarding the effects of Lake Okeechobee discharge water and thermal stress on coral symbioses. Dr. Voss presented on connectivity and symbiont communities in the Flower Garden Banks, including research from former graduate student Jennifer Polinski, and results that have contributed to the sanctuary’s expansion plan.
Danielle joined the Voss lab in August 2015 and is doing research on gene expression in relation to the St. Lucie Reef Project. She is a recent graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in Environmental Science and a concentration in Marine Science. Her interest in coral reef ecosystems sparked during participation in a field methods research program on Little Cayman Island where she became an AAUS Scientific Diver, NAUI Rescue Diver and participated in coral abundance and diversity research. Working as a research assistant in an Algal Physiology research group during her undergraduate, Danielle investigated the genetic effects of thermal stress and ocean acidification on coral algal symbioses. She recently spent her summer in Key West teaching marine education with Reef Relief, a non-profit membership organization aimed to protect and improve coral reef ecosystems.
