Megan Conkling is a research scientist at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, where her work sits at the intersection of marine biology, conservation, and biotechnology. With an interdisciplinary background spanning marine science, biology, and geoscience, she brings a broad, systems-level perspective to studying and protecting ocean life.Megan was part of the team that established the first sponge cell lines, an important step forward for both coral reef restoration and marine natural product discovery. These cell lines not only create new opportunities to better understand sponge biology, but also offer a scalable, sustainable way to explore the compounds these organisms produce, many of which have promising biomedical applications.Her current interests focus on preserving the biodiversity of sponges and other marine invertebrates through cryopreservation. By developing methods to store living cells and tissues long-term, she aims to support future restoration efforts and safeguard vulnerable species against ongoing environmental change. This work is especially relevant as marine ecosystems face increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, and habitat loss.Outside of the lab, Megan is driven by a curiosity about how different scientific disciplines connect, and how those connections can be used to solve complex environmental problems. Her work reflects a balance between innovation and conservation, with a clear goal: to help protect and restore marine ecosystems for the future.
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