UTA Graduate's Research Sheds Light on Disease Impacting Caribbean Coral Reefs

Kelsey Beavers, who graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), embarked on an in-depth exploration of the disease wreaking havoc on Caribbean coral reefs as the primary focus of her doctoral dissertation. Her journey into marine biology was fueled by a lifelong love for the ocean, nurtured within a family deeply passionate about scuba diving. Initially studying environmental science at Texas Christian University (TCU), Beavers found her academic path redirected to UTA under the mentorship of biology Professor Laura Mydlarz. At UTA, Beavers immersed herself in the study of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), a rapidly spreading scourge devastating coral ecosystems across Florida's coastline and in 22 Caribbean nations. Her contributions to ongoing research endeavors, including her leadership in a published study featured in Nature Communications, provided invaluable insights into the complexities of SCTLD. Utilizing innovative research techniques, Beavers conducted extensive fieldwork off the shores of the U.S. Virgin Islands, collecting coral tissue samples for thorough laboratory analysis.