Stormie Collins
I employ multidisciplinary approaches to bioluminescence and cryptic diversity in deep-sea decapod shrimps. Crustaceans are important prey items for many organisms and are among the most abundant organisms occupying the mid-water column, which makes them a perfect system to study. Understanding how these animals are using light in the ocean can allow scientists to better understand how environmental impacts such as oil drilling and deep-sea mining may affect ecological factors, such as using bioluminescence to signal conspecifics and to find mates.