Underwater In Salem Sound Lecture Series

This event is free and open to the public. Attend in person or register virtually with Abbot Library

Speaker: Jennifer Polinski, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Senior Research Associate

Presentation: Sequencing the Sea: How environmental DNA can reveal an ecosystem’s hidden biodiversity

Talk Description: Oceans cover over 70% of our planet, representing 99% of its “living” space, and house a tremendous diversity of life. However, our oceans and their biodiversity are under increasing threat from rising temperatures, acidification, pollution, overharvesting, and habitat loss. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a powerful approach for protecting and restoring marine ecosystems. International efforts to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 are underway, and innovative methods for assessing and monitoring biodiversity are crucial to the success of new and previously established MPAs. In this talk, learn how scientists at the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute are using cutting-edge genomic tools to assess marine biodiversity, from the smallest microbe to the largest whale, to measure the impact of these protective measures on fragile marine ecosystems. 

Speaker Bio: Jennifer Polinski is a Senior Research Associate at the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI), with over a decade of experience applying cutting-edge genomics techniques to marine organisms and environments. She obtained her B.A. In Biology and Mathematics from Albion College and M.S. in Marine Biology from Florida Atlantic University. Since joining GMGI in 2017, she has contributed to a wide range of research including sequencing genomes of the American lobster and Jonah crab, uncovering patterns of aging and longevity in sea urchins, and using eDNA to ass whole ecosystem biodiversity. Jennifer is an avid SCUBA diver, both recreationally and scientifically, and an amateur underwater photographer.