Research

1. Effects of temperature on energy metabolism and locomotory behavior of European Rockshrimp (Palaemon elegans) 

Heat waves have become more frequent and intense in recent years, posing significant challenges for coastal aquatic communities. This is especially relevant in intertidal zones, where organisms often live close to their thermal tolerance limits during summer. In this study, we are investigating how elevated temperatures constrain the energy metabolism and locomotory behavior of the European rock shrimp. By combining enzyme assays, whole-body metabolic measurements, and behavioral analyses, we aim to reveal how this species may respond to future climate change. 

2. Effects of temperature on digestion capacity and growth performance of Black Seabass (Centropristis striata)

The Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest-warming marine regions in the world, with rising temperatures strongly influencing species distributions. Previous studies have documented a poleward shift of Black Seabass populations in response to warming waters in the Gulf of Maine. In this study, we are investigating how temperature affects digestion efficiency and growth performance in this species. Through physiological experiments, we aim to determine how temperature alters digestive efficiency and energy allocation, which will provide insight into the mechanisms driving future shifts in species distributions.

3. Effects of temperature and Semaglutide (GLP-1RAs) on glucose metabolism and feeding behavior of European Rock Shrimp (P.  elegans)

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) widely prescribed for treating diabetes and obesity. With the rapidly increasing use and dosage of GLP-1RAs, there have been growing concerns regarding their release into municipal wastewater and potential ecotoxicological effects. In this study, we are investigating how temperature and semaglutide affect energy metabolism and feeding behavior in European rock shrimp (P. elegans) as a model species. Using a holistic approach from enzyme assays and whole-body metabolic rate measurements to behavioral assays, this research will demonstrate how GLP-1RAs may alter glucose metabolism and feeding/foraging behavior. The findings will provide important implications for the risk management of emerging contaminants under future climate change scenarios.

4. Family-Level Variation in Thermal Resilience and Metabolic Performance in Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic salmon families can differ in growth and physiological performance under changing thermal conditions, raising important questions about how biological variation interacts with the environment to shape resilience. This project uses identified salmon families reared under controlled RAS temperatures to examine how genetic background × thermal environment interactions influence metabolism, growth, and whole-animal performance. By integrating whole-animal performance metrics with comparative physiological approaches, this research aims to identify physiological traits associated with improved tolerance to elevated temperature conditions relevant to next-generation land-based aquaculture systems under future environmental and economic challenges.

5. Additional research directions include ongoing work in American eel and bivalve systems, focusing on thermal stress, physiological variation, and mechanistic responses to environmental change.