Katie Bennett, MS student

Research Interests: I am studying the development of a deep-sea urchin, Cidaris blakei, that we collected using a submersible in the waters off of the Bahamas last May. I’m very interested in using the developmental characteristics of this urchin as clues to figure out ecological aspects of its life history. For example: Where does it spend the larval stage of its life? How long does (can) it stay in the plankton? What does it eat? As my students soon learn, I am crazy for meroplankton--in particular the unique and beautiful pluteus larvae of Cidaris blakei!

Advisor: Dr. Alan Shanks

About GK-12: In the classroom, my goal is to get students excited about science. I try to draw on the natural curiosity people feel looking into a tidepool. “What is that thing?” they might ask, “Why is it doing that?” The answers to questions like these are often bizarre. Sea stars have two stomachs, one that everts! Some sea cucumbers puke for self-defense! Curiosity is the foundation of all scientific work. I try and help students take their enthusiasm for the very cool animals of the marine environment to the next level so they can develop the ability to ask good scientific questions , and gain the skills to try and answer those questions.