Kailani Acosta

My research focuses on organic matter in the euphotic zone of the ocean (upper ~100 meters). I'm interested in the biochemical composition and lability of biogenic materials and how they recycle and are retained. Sinking organic particles transport organic material from the upper ocean to deeper layers, potentially removing Nitrogen and Phosphorus from the photic zone. By comparing the in-situ decomposition rates of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids from natural particles, we can determine rates of Phosphorus and Nitrogen release and retention. 

In 2016, I worked with Professor Caroline Karp (Brown University) and researchers at the Centre National des Recherches Océanographiques (CNRO) in Madagascar to create an environmental education program for children in schools in northwest Madagascar. The program has been accepted into the National Ministry of the Environment's annual work plan for the CNRO.

While working for the Marine Biological Laboratory as an REU at the Marshview Field Station in 2014, we began to notice a proliferation of fiddler crabs (Uca pugnax) into the marshes of Rowley, Massachusetts. Dr. David Johnson, myself and another REU student worked together to collect male and female fiddler crabs to quantify a northern range expansion of the species. 

Coral reefs in the Indian Ocean are under extreme pressure from development, overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Certain highly productive reef communities are cordoned off as marine protected areas (MPAs) and patrolled by guards to ensure the area as a no-take zone. In order to determine effectiveness of these MPAs off the northwest coast of Madagascar near the island of Nosy Be, I worked in conjunction with the Centre National des Recherches Oceanographiques (CNRO) to assess coral reef health of two MPAs. The MPAs assessed were Lokobe National Park, off the southern coast of Nosy Be, and Tanikely National Park, surrounding the small uninhabited island of Nosy Tanikely.