I am a scientist studying ecological and biogeographic patterns of life in the deepest parts of the world ocean. I employ state-of-the-art imaging systems, traditional taxonomic approaches, and next-generation molecular tools to answer long-standing questions about life in the under-explored areas of the oceans. My current research focuses on characterizing the distribution, diversity, and community structure patterns of deep-water corals on seamounts and other large submarine features. Current geographic areas of research target the central Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. My investigations in the deep have relied on blending traditional deep-sea survey and characterization methods with emergent technologies, like environmental DNA (eDNA) metagenomics to understand our deep ocean environments. I am most excited about applying recent developments in phylogenomic tools useful for understanding evolutionary relationships among deep-water corals in areas that have been unexplored or are data-deficient.