Research Highlights
Research Interests
Use of advanced molecular techniques to better understand coral physiology, health, and adaptation to multiple environments.
Understanding genetic connectivity of coral ecosystems in marginal environments.
Michael S. Studivan, Ph.D.
Assistant Scientist (University of Miami/CIMAS), Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division
305.361.4361
4301 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, Florida 33149
“As part of my research and academic interests, I am an avid Trimix technical diver, drone pilot, and filmmaker. In addition to the production and dissemination of cutting-edge genetic research, I believe that outreach and education are key to the advancement of effective management strategies and better representation of science with the general public.”
Michael Studivan is a principal investigator at CIMAS and UM lead of the Experimental Reef Laboratory. His research involves the use of advanced molecular techniques to better understand coral physiology and adaptation, as well as genetic connectivity of coral ecosystems in marginal environments. He aims to identify molecular mechanisms at the individual level that may affect population-wide ecosystem processes in variable environments, particularly in light of recent coral disease outbreaks on the Florida Reef Tract and wider Caribbean. He completed his graduate degrees and postdoctoral fellowship at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Studivan’s dissertation research addressed mesophotic coral ecosystem connectivity and mesophotic coral morphology/physiology using genotyping, skeletal morphometrics, and gene expression profiling with Montastraea cavernosa from the Gulf of Mexico (Flower Garden Banks and Pulley Ridge) and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (Carrie Bow Cay, Belize). For his postdoctoral research, he characterized the response of corals to stony coral tissue loss disease and intervention strategies using RNA-Seq gene expression profiling and 3D modeling.
2011, B.A. Biology, Minors: Film & Media Studies, Environmental Studies Degree, cum laude, GPA: 3.7, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, Maryland
2016, M.S. Biological Science, GPA: 4.0, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
2018, Ph.D. Integrative Biology, GPA: 4.0, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
- Young, B.D., O.M. Williamson, N.S. Kron, N. Andrade Rodriguez, L.M. Isma, N.J. Macknight, E.M. Muller, S.M. Rosales, S.M. Sirotzke, N. Traylor-Knowles, S.D. Williams, and M.S. Studivan. Annotated genome and transcriptome of the endangered Caribbean mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) using PacBio long-read sequencing. BMC Genomics, 25:226, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10092-w 2024
Ref. 4391 - Enochs, I.C., M.S. Studivan, G. Kolodziej, C. Foord, I. Basden, A. Boyd, N. Formel, A. Kirkland, E. Rubin, M. Jankulak, I. Smith, C.R. Kelble, and D.P. Manzello. Coral persistence despite marginal conditions in the Port of Miami. Scientific Reports, 13:6759, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33467-7 2023
Ref. 4256 - Johnston, M.A., M.S. Studivan, I.C. Enochs, A.M.S. Correa, N. Besemer, R.J. Eckert, K. Edwards, R. Hannum, X, Hu, M. Nuttall, K. O’Connell, A.M. Palacio-Castro, G.P. Schmahl, A.B. Sturm, B. Ushijima, and J.D. Voss. Coral disease outbreak at the remote Flower Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10:1111749, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1111749 2023
Ref. 4223
OAR Team Members of the Year – Outreach and Education 2023
For exemplary response to the unexpected and unprecedented 2023 coral bleaching event in South Florida and their efforts to communicate the event to the American public.
Best Student Poster, Mesophotic Coral Reef Ecosystems Gordon Research Conference, June 2018
FAU Three Minute Thesis Heat Second Runner-Up, November 2016
Best Student Oral Presentation, 13th International Coral Reef Symposium, June 2016
Film “Black & Blue: Estuarine Discharge on St. Lucie Reef” selected for screening at Beneath the Waves Film Festival, Portland, ME, March 2016
Film “Exploring Twilight Reefs of the Flower Garden Banks” selected for screening at the BLUE Gulf Film Festival, Corpus Christi, TX, November 2015
Outstanding Graduate Student Poster, Benthic Ecology Meeting, March 2015
Biology Department Award, Overall Excellence in an Oral Presentation of a St. Mary’s Project, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, May 2011
Biology Department Award, Academic Distinction and Service, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, May 2011
Study Abroad Award, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, March 2010
Academic Achievement Scholarship, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, August 2009
Smart Grant, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, August 2009
US National Research Council. Postdoctoral fellowship to work with scientists at NOAA- AOML on coral diseases 2019-2020