New Position: Genomic characterization of deep-sea collections from the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

In March, I took up a new position at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology (IZ). In this role I will lead the genomic characterization of deep-sea biological samples from the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, collected from 2015-present, and encompassing broad geographic localities in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean between 0-6000 m depth. Within this collection, entirely housed at the NMNH, I will use next-generation molecular sequencing tools to create DNA sequence libraries and mitogenomes for biological specimens, including types from recently described new species.

In addition, Okeanos Explorer has been collected environmental DNA (eDNA) samples during ROV dives and on CTD casts since 2020. Using these specimens, I will be producing metabarcode libraries that will help us determine the presence and diversity of DNA in areas sampled thus far.

Importantly, this role adds tangible resources to an important part of the discovery process of new marine species. Many collections that are considered to be new species often wait years, or even decades, to be described. New applications of these genomic tools will also allow us to increase the pace of this discovery which I am grateful to be able to take a part in.

Thumbnail photo credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration (EX1703)