I am also interested in the evolution of convergent body plans and life strategies. Echinoderms are characterized by their unique skeleton, formed by an intricate mesh of CaCO3. The overall skeleton architecture is also complex; instead of a rigid structure, it comprises numerous plates of varied shapes and sizes bound by soft tissue. Sea cucumbers, however, evolved a worm-shaped body with a fully internal skeleton composed of tiny ossicles and a ring of plates in the anterior region, the calcareous ring.
I use advanced imaging techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) to study the echinoderm skeleton and its relation to internal organs.
Discovering new species is one of the most exciting achievements in science. Every undescribed species holds unique evolutionary history, ecological relationships, and potential value waiting to be understood. Documenting biodiversity, from careful morphological study to molecular tools like DNA barcoding, is essential. Species are going extinct at an alarming rate, and without describing and classifying them, we lose critical information needed to improve conservation strategies, ecosystem management, biotechnology, and human well-being.
Biodiversity Discovery
To date, I have described 8 species, 5 genera and 1 family.