Presenting on eDNA advances for characterizing deep-sea coral communities in the central Pacific Ocean at the 8th ISDSC

Photo credit: Upasana Ganguly (University of Louisiana Lafayette)

On May 29, 2023 I had the opportunity to present at the 8th International Symposium on Deep-sea Corals in Edinburgh, Scotland. I received a slot for an oral presentation in the Taxonomy, Systematics, and Evolution Session. The talk, entitled “A genetic reference library for the central Pacific Ocean Octocorallia and applications in eDNA characterization of the benthos” comprised the analysis of our genome skimming run as well as additional work that I had been conducting on octocoral morphology and new candidate species identifications in the region. This work will help advance the development and utility of eDNA tools in the region, as well as our understanding of deep-sea coral biodiversity.  At the closing of the conference, I received the runner-up placement for the Best Early Career talk award, which included a 1-year membership to the Deep-Sea Biology Society.

Cover Photo credit: Upasana Ganguly