Cheryl Lewis Ames Graduated from Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada) with a degree in Biology (after trasnferring from Fine Arts), and then went on to a master’s program at the University of the Ryukyus (Okinawa, Japan) in Marine Sciences. After obatinaing another BA in French Literature at the University of Otawa (Canada), she completed her doctorate at the University of Maryland while coadvised by researchers at NOAA and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Currently, she is a professor at the Graduate School of Agriculture, Tohoku University, and a unit leader at WPI-AIMEC (Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change). Her lab, which hosts students and postdocs from 11 different countries is appropriately called International Marine Sciences. Through international marine research endeavors in collaboration with universities, government laboratories, museums, aquariums, and fisheries associations, the lab’s mission is to promote inclusive international marine sciences.Major Research areas:(1) Molecules to examine the expression and function of proteins, and molecular phylogenetics of marine invertebrates. (2) Cells to understand jellyfish defense and predation, patterns of gametogenesis and reproduction, and the ecological function of symbiosis between Cnidaria hosts and their Symbiodiniaceae. (3) eDNA (Environmental DNA) to identify and monitor marine invertebrates (e.g., venomous jellyfishes and commercially important octopuses)(4) In-situ imaging technology such as planktoscope and go-pro to detect and associations among phytoplankton habitats and HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms)
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