The overarching goal of this research is to gain an understanding of mechanisms that regulate gonadal sex differentiation, reproduction, and growth in marine finfishes. Specific areas of emphasis include (1) characterizing sex differentiation through morphological and cutting-edge transcriptomic analyses, (2) developing novel approaches for sex control and induction of reproductive sterility in marine fishes to permit more environmentally-sound aquaculture, and (3) studying the actions of key endocrine factors related to reproduction and growth and those that link these physiological processes. Practical applications of this work include establishment of methods to improve reproductive and growth performance of aquacultured species and identification and validation of molecular biomarkers of reproduction and growth that may serve as tools to study fishes in both natural and captive environments.

 

References

Hayman ES, et al: Gene 764: 145093, 2021

Luckenbach JA, et al: Aquaculture 479: 285-296, 2017

Luckenbach JA, et al: Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology 20: 256, 2009

key words

Reproduction; Sex determination; Gonadal differentiation; Maturation; Growth physiology; Aquaculture; Fish; Genomics; Molecular biology

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and non-U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants