Christin Slaughter     Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Marine Science University of North Carolina, Wilmington cts6773@uncwil.edu     Advisor: Michael A. McCartney

I am interested in life history, evolution, and ecology of marine invertebrates.  Because marine invertebrates often lack the traditional physical barriers that can lead to reproductive isolation, I am interested in speciation in free-spawning invertebrates and whether the diversification of gamete recognition proteins may provide a means of marine speciation. 

My current research focuses on the role played by gametic incompatibility in hybrid formation and the maintenance of species boundaries within a blue mussel hybrid zone in the Gulf of Maine. My thesis work involves a three-prong approach using invitro fertilization, AFLP, and assays for the steps of fertilization at the cellular level. I like things that are blue.

My past research included investigating variation in morphological plasticity among genotypes of the colonial marine hydroid Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus. It made me feel sad on the inside.

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