{"id":4,"date":"2023-06-12T12:32:55","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T19:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/carlslab\/?page_id=4"},"modified":"2023-08-19T16:40:06","modified_gmt":"2023-08-19T23:40:06","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/carlslab\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Page"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n About Our Lab\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n
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The CEE Lab investigates the ways that an organism\u2019s physical traits \u2013 also known as its phenotype \u2013 are produced and modified by genetic and environmental effects. We study how these ecological interactions mold and are molded by the evolutionary tracks of populations and species. Our Lab also values translational ecology: turning scientific findings into tools for conservation management.<\/p>\n

We use a variety of methods to explore these topics, ranging from field experiments to genomic analyses, and more. Find additional information about recent work on the \u2018Research\u2019 and \u2018Publications\u2019 pages.<\/p>\n

Follow us on Instagram @CEELabUSC or Twitter @DrCarlsHorn for lab news in real-time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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In this lab, we believe…<\/h2>\n
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*Graphic reproduced and modified with permission from Sammy Katta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The CEE Lab occupies the traditional and unceded lands of the Chumash, Gabrieleno\/Tongva and Kizh peoples, whereas our Florida Keys research occurs on the ancestral homelands of the Calusa, Tequesta, and Seminole peoples. We acknowledge and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n Ongoing Research Projects\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n \n \n Local Adaptation\n\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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Marine environments can vary widely, even over small areas. We aim to understand how cnidarians specialize to local habitats, despite their wide dispersal potential. We are especially interested in ecosystems where spatial environmental changes mimic predicted patterns of global change. These include subtidal temperature gradients in the Florida Keys, CO2 seeps in Papua New Guinea, and the volatile environment of California\u2019s rocky intertidal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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\n \n \n Symbiosis\n\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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Cooperative interactions between species have played a fundamental role in the evolution of life, but there’s still much to learn about how these relationships develop and persist, especially in the face of rapid environmental change. We\u2019re using field and lab-based studies to study algal, bacterial, and even fungal partners of corals and anemones.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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\n \n \n Translational Ecology\n\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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The current rate of climate change is threatening ecosystems worldwide. In addition to the loss of critical services, we also face losing unique aspects of their biology, which fuel scientific discovery. A significant part of our work focuses on supporting ecosystem management with science. We have helped form guides for coral reef restoration, & developed methods for investigating the dynamics of harmful algal blooms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n The CEE Lab\u2019s latest NSF-funded project:\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n
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The Role of Adaptive Plasticity in Coral Response to Climate Change<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plasticity is the ability of an organism\u2019s genes to produce a range of physical traits in answer to environmental changes. Climate change threatens many populations because existing traits may be poorly suited to new and rapidly changing conditions. Whether or not populations persist will depend on their ability to adapt to new and evolving habitats. This project aims to understand the role plasticity plays in adaptation to natural environments from the underlying genetic functions that produce plasticity to how coral plasticity impacts reef ecosystems. Watch the video below to find out more!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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\n Latest News\n <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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    \n\n \n \n \n Dr. Kenkel’s Twitter\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n \n \n
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    @DrCarlsHorn<\/span><\/p>\n

    Its that time of year again – I’m starting to get emails from awesome prospective students but I’m not recruiting. To all PIs in Eco\/Evo\/Marine Bio who ARE recruiting for Fall 2024 – please fill out this survey so we can direct great students to you!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Link Here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

    \n\n \n \n \n Dr. Kenkel’s Twitter\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n \n \n
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    @DrCarlsHorn<\/span><\/p>\n

    Prospective students looking for labs in Fall 2024 – watch this sheet for a list of PIs who are recruiting but be sure to do your due diligence in vetting the PI\/lab\/program!<\/p>\n

    Link Here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n

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    \n \n CEE Lab Instagram\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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    Our lab is fascinated by phenotypic variation, AKA the differences in the observable characteristics of organisms. We study how ecology (organism-environment interactions) may induce or select for different phenotypes and how these ecological interactions influence\/are influenced by the evolutionary trajectories of populations and species.<\/p>\n

    We use a variety of methods to address these questions, ranging from field experiments to ecophysiology to genomic analyses. We also have a strong interest in \u201ctranslational ecology\u201d: turning scientific findings into tools for conservation management.<\/p>\n

    Check out the link in our bio for more information and get ready for lots of Coral Content!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n

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    \n \n CEE Lab Instagram\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n
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    2 of our lab members have been honored with @uscwrigley<\/a> Faculty Innovation Awards for their study of coral biodiversity in Indonesia\u2019s Coral Triangle! Their work supports the development of genome sequencing data for corals in the triangle, helping to restore and protect corals against the effects of climate change. learn more about their project here:<\/p>\n

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    Wrigley Institute names 2023-2025 Faculty Innovation Award winners<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n