What questions are you trying to answer and why?

I'm hoping to do basic characterisation of vent viruses including (1) how abundant are viruses in hydrothermal vent water? (2) What do these viruses look like and how do they compare morphologically (look) to viruses from other marine environments? (3) How important is viral infection as an agent of bacterial cell death (bacterial mortality) at the vents? (4) How genetically diverse are vent viral communities and (5) How do vent viral communities compare genetically to other marine viral communities?

Why is this research important? What are the benefits?

Scientists have learned that viruses are likely an important agent controlling both the growth and diversity of co-existing bacterial communities in marine environments. Ultimately, it is the growth and diversity of bacteria which, in large part, determines the flow and recycling of nutrients through the environment. Without the recycling activities of bacteria, higher life — plants and animals — would not survive. Investigations of the role of viruses helps us to better understand the inner workings of bacterial communities.

What’s your educational background and what lured you into marine research?

When I was young, I enjoyed watching documentary programs on the ocean explorations of Jacques Cousteau. I also enjoyed science and the outdoors. The combination of these three interests led me toward a research career in marine science. I attended St. Pius High School and then Emory University, both are in Atlanta, Georgia. After finishing college, I spent two years at the Univ. of St. Andrews in Scotland, UK, working on a master’s degree at the Gatty Marine Laboratory. I did my doctoral work at the Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland, in Baltimore. An important part of my interest in studying marine environments came from summer work (1981 – 88) at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, a national Boy Scout base located in the Florida keys.