Team
P.I. Rebecca Vega Thurber
Professor, Director of UCSB Marine Science Institute
Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology Department
My lab investigates how bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms interact with and regulate marine ecosystems. Currently our projects focus on tropical reefs in French Polynesia and the Caribbean. Our lab is funded primarily by the National Science Foundation.​
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My lab’s research uses interdisciplinary approaches to address questions about how viruses and microbes function in and affect the environment. Using a combination of empirical experimentation, field work, metagenomics, microscopy and molecular biology, my research provides important insight into a variety of fields including: microbiology, coral reef ecology, animal physiology, virology, and the evolution of symbioses. email.
Current members
2021 -
Eddie Fuques. Ph.D. Candidate
My research focuses on understanding the diversity, ecology, and evolution of host-associated viruses across biological systems. Using metagenomics and bioinformatics, I characterize viral communities, identify novel viruses, and explore the ecological patterns that shape their diversity. My main project focuses on mosquito-associated RNA viral communities in the Amazon Basin. Email.
Sunni Patton. Ph.D. Candidate
2021 -
I am interested in studying how natural phenomena, anthropogenic contaminants, and other environmental stressors influence marine microbial communities. My work focuses on understanding microbiome resilience and sensitivity in response to environmental stressors in the endangered Caribbean coral, Acropora cervicornis. Email.
Mackenzie Kawahara. Ph.D. Candidate
2022 -
I am interested in long-term effects of nutrient enrichment on the microbiome dynamics and resilience of corals that live in highly oligotrophic habitats. I will be helping with the Recharge project and building The Mo’orea Microbiome. In Mo’orea, I hope to help bridge the gap between the scientists and community members by ensuring that experimental results and findings are well communicated to increase our knowledge about the surrounding ecosystems and make sustainable decisions and regulations. Email.
2024-
Dr. Rio Kashimoto. Postdoctoral Scholar
During my postdoc at Vega Thurber's lab, I am interested in studying coral species and coral holobionts inhabiting coral reef areas affected by global warming, with a focus on changes in microbial communities over several years. In the future, by constructing a system that reflects human activities in areas surrounding the sampling regions related to biodiversity, I hope to generate new hypotheses and simulations regarding marine biodiversity through a graphical interface.
Sibelle O'Donnell. Ph.D. Student
2025 -
I am interested in studying how genetic, environmental and microbial factors interact with one another and impact coral health and resilience. I’m intend to study what factors influence a coral's microbial community composition, and the tradeoffs involved in maintaining or shifting microbiomes. Email.
2025-
Kai Davis. Ph.D. Student
I am interested in the concept and framework of microbiome stewardship— the responsible management of microbial communities for beneficial conservation and restoration outcomes. I intend on studying how key holobiont members can be leveraged to enhance coral reef resilience and restoration in the face of mounting environmental stressors.
2021-
Dr. Denise Silva. Research Associate
My research interests are focused on molecular microbial ecology, anthropogenic impacts, bioremediation, and bioinformatics. Currently, I explore the core microbiome profile of several coral species in distinct coral reefs around the world and relate environmental factors with the coral core microbiome. This study is part of the Global Core Microbiome Project (GCMP), which involves more than 110 coral species from several reefs worldwide. As manager of the Vega Thurber Lab, I develop operational standards to maintain the proper functioning of the laboratory and ensure compliance with practices in accordance with current standards. In addition, I provide support to students and help in orienting their research, especially related to laboratory protocols, plans to ensure the well-being and safety of students during laboratory activities. email.
& Undergraduate Superstars
Summer Baars
I'm an undergraduate student at UC Santa Barbara with a double major in Environmental Studies and Cell & Developmental Biology. I work with Mackenzie Kawahara mostly on her project with Coral Gardeners, extracting eDNA from water samples and conducting PCR and gel electrophoresis for 16S rRNA library prep. I'm also planning to conduct my own project focusing on corals as indicator species.
Alumni
PhD Student, 2019-2024
Dr. Alex Vompe
Graduate students
PhD Student, 2019-2024
Dr. Savanah Leidholt
Lab Manager (2017-2018), PhD Student (2018-2023)
Dr. Emily Schmeltzer, Biologist at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
PhD Student, 2016-2021
Dr. Grace Klinges, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Coral Health and Disease Program and Mote Marine Laboratory's International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration
PhD Student, 2016-2021
Dr. Adriana Messyasz, Post-Doctoral Associate at the Rutgers University Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology
PhD Student, 2016-2021
Dr. Rebecca Maher, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Bohannan Lab in the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Oregon email
Dr. Ryan McMinds, Assistant Professor, University of South Florida
Dr. Stephanie Rosales, senior research associate at the University of Miami's (UM) Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS)
Dr. Rory Welsh, microbiologist at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Dr. Nitzan Soffer, Genomics/NGS portfolio Account Executive at Tecan
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Rowan McLachlan. Postdoctoral Scholar
Dr. Kalia Bistolas, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology, Oregon State University
Dr. Lauren Speare, Assistant Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Lydia Baker, Lecturer of Tropical Marine Ecology, Master of Professional Science Program at University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Dr. Jesse Zaneveld, Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, Bothell
Dr. Jerome Payet, Oregon State University
Dr. Adrienne Correa, Associate Professor at UC Berkeley
Dr. Marie Cuvelier, Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography at Nova Southeastern University
Undergraduate alumni
Athena Peterson​
Olivia Harmon
Faris I. Qureshi
Jazmin Prado-Gomez
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Colton Stensrud
Taylor Sund
Ellie Boryer
Will Duke
Sonora Meiling
Shalvi Patel
Kylen Tromblay
Amelia Foster
Trevor Bark
Tatiana Galvin
Mikayla Reuter
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Ammon Larsen
Ali Yaakola
Manas Rajesh