By Katie Kwok
UC San Diego
Hi! My name is Katie, and I’m from Hong Kong. I currently attend University of California, San Diego, as a marine biology major. In my free time, I like trying new things – which is why I am not particularly good at anything. So far, I am enjoying baking, knitting and discovering new places. I am passionate about looking for new knitting patterns as well as conserving the oceans. Excited to see where the ocean will bring me!
This summer, I will investigate the coral acropora species in Hong Kong as part of the McIlroy Functional Diversity Lab located in Chinese University of Hong Kong. Although I have just arrived from Brisbane a few days ago, I had the opportunity to go on a field trip with them to collect samples. Although I was raised in this beautiful city, I never thought about the living corals here. I have seen it before, but it looked unexciting. Hong Kong is famous for its city, so even coral cannot escape the impacts of coastal development. Nutrient concentrations have been increasing for the past 40 years and community composition and distribution have changed since then. In the next two months, I will be assisting my mentor in her research project and work toward the question: how do coral reefs be resilient in high-nutrient conditions?
Description: Photo of Simon F. S. Li Marine Science Laboratory located at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which is where the McIlroy Functional Diversity Lab is at.
Description: Corals at the lab’s nursery
We will be using a genetic-based approach to answer this question. From extracting genome sequences, we will understand how it defines corals’ physiology. The sequences will also be contributed to the GenBank dataset since that is still a knowledge gap. On a broader scale, understanding genetic distribution is important because genetic diversity within a population heavily influences population resilience. We can use our data to evaluate preparedness of local coral communities to stress and evolutionary potential. Specifically, by focusing on adapting high-nitrogen environments, we can identify traits that help corals adapt and thrive in these rough conditions. We can evaluate coral colonies and identify those that are readily adapted, and use those as donor colonies for habitat restoration. Lastly, I will attempt to create a revised field guide for Acropora spp.. Knowledge of local Acropora species is sparse and inaccurate. In order to identify traits under correct phylogenetic clades, a revised field guide will be critical for identification.
I am mostly looking forward to meeting new people and gaining new skills. Particularly, I have done minimal molecular and wet lab work – which is what I will be focusing on this summer. This is a whole new field, so this is what I am unsure about. I plan to take on any task I am asked for in order to make the most of my time in the lab. I cannot wait to continue going to the lab and see what is in store for me to do.
HSF House Blogs 