Sam King

As a marine biologist, I study the mutually beneficial relationship (symbiosis) between coral and the microscopic algae that live inside of them. Coral get most of their food from their algae, who use sunlight to photosynthesize like plants, and the algae receive a safe environment and some nutrients from their coral host. Their symbiosis forms the foundation of coral reefs, which create habitat for millions of other organisms. However, it is very vulnerable to climate change and has led to the loss of coral habitat around the world. I seek to better understand how their relationship evolved, how these very different organisms communicate and thrive together, but more importantly, how their relationship breaks down in times of stress (especially heat stress) to help preserve these habitats.