Lab members
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On board R/V Connecticut, September 2019. Photo by Daniel Hentz (WHOI). |
Marine biologist
Most of the ocean floor is blanketed by soft sediments, so hard-bottom habitats are usually isolated and island-like. Any solid object - be it a reef, a lone rock, or a shipwreck - will inevitably be colonized, and these substrata provide habitats for diverse and abundant communities of sponges, anemones, crabs, mussels, and fish. As a benthic ecologist, I study the colonization and connectivity of island-like hard-bottom habitats.
In order to collect samples and conduct experiments, I embark on frequent expeditions to the field. I use SCUBA and small boats to reach near-shore habitats and participate in oceanographic expeditions on larger research ships to sample off-shore or deep-sea habitats with remotely operated vehicles. Much of my work involves collection of high-resolution imagery - either video or photos - from the seafloor, and so image analysis is a staple of my research. I travel frequently, both domestically and internationally.
Currently, I am an Assistant Scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Visit the blog portion of this site for the most recent information on my research activities, and contact me at kmeyer@whoi.edu if you are interested in joining my lab. More information for prospective students can be found under the "Opportunities" tab of this webpage.
Calvin Mires
Maritime archaeologist

Kharis Schrage
PhD student in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program
My name is Kharis, and I am a PhD student in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program. I am from Alexandria, VA and went to William and Mary for my undergraduate (2017), where I studied the intertidal ecology and larval development of hemichordate worms in Dr. Jon Allen's lab. I have spent the past few years in the field working as a technician on a number of projects, from sturgeon population dynamics in the southeast U.S. to zooplankton ecology and pelagic trophic dynamics in Antarctica. These passions for invertebrate ecology, larval development, and polar science came together and led me to the Meyer-Kaiser lab, where I am studying the benthic ecology of invertebrates and their meroplanktonic larval stages in the Arctic. I use both oceanographic instruments as well as SCUBA to study and collect these organisms. I am still working out the specifics of my project, but I am very excited to be at this stage! Beyond my science, my favorite things still involve adventures and water - diving, fishing, traveling, exploring new places (and fudge!). I can be reached at kharis@mit.edu.
Kimberly Nuñez
PhD student in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program
Kimberly Nuñez
Summer Student Fellow
Hello!
My name is Kimberly and I am from Brooklyn, NY. Currently, I am a Junior at
CUNY Macaulay Honors College at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where I
major in Cell and Molecular Biology with a double minor in Chemistry and
Environmental Justice. I am the Lead Biology Tutor at John Jay’s Math and
Science Resource and conduct research in Dr. Anthony Carpi’s lab. My current
project focuses on determining how microorganisms play a role in soil mercury
emissions through methods of stimulation and suppression. My marine biology
research interests lie in those that can inform environmental policies,
particularly megafauna conservation. This includes studying the anthropogenic and climate-driven effects on population and community dynamics, migration
patterns, predation habits, communication, and behavior. In the Meyer-Kaiser
lab, I will be analyzing potential drivers of change to observe how they affect
benthic communities in the Fram Strait. During my free time, I enjoy reading,
spending time with my friends and family, and catching up on my favorite
YouTubers or shows.
Kraken
Golden Doodle puppyKraken comes to the lab with Kirstin a few days a week. His research interests include chew toys, environmental smells, and treats made from animal protein. His past accomplishments include Sit and Come. Kraken's current research project is entitled "Investigations in misbehavior: methods for optimizing treat output in a Homo sapiens household."
Amelia 'Mimi' Smith, Summer Student Fellow, 2020
Former lab members and alumni
Hanny Rivera, Postdoctoral Investigator, 2018-2021
Project: Population connectivity and adaptation for thermal tolerance among corals in Palau Preprint
Currently: AAAS Policy Fellow, US Department of Energy
Project: Ontogenetic development of the crinoid Poliometra prolixa in the Arctic deep sea. Paper
Currently: ORISE Intern, US Environmental Protection Agency
Nicole Pittoors, Guest Student, 2017
Currently: ORISE Intern, US Environmental Protection Agency
Nicole Pittoors, Guest Student, 2017
Project: Mechanisms of succession in subtidal fouling communities Abstract
Currently: PhD student, Lehigh University
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