Hello, my name is
Jade Shivak
Marine Microbiologist
- jade.shivak@vuw.ac.nz
- @JadeShivak
- Google Scholar
About me
I am a PhD student in the Davy lab at Victoria University of Wellinton studying the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis.
My fascination with marine microbes has dramatically shaped my career path, taking me around the world and through many sub-disciplines of biology. Despite growing up in a landlocked Canadian province, I have always been drawn to the ocean. Learning to SCUBA dive was a formative experience which sparked my interest in marine ecosystems and led me to study biology. As I delved deeper into the field, I found that the frontier I wanted to explore existed on a microscopic level. During my Master’s in the Keeling lab, I was able to apply molecular and cell biological techniques to marine organisms. I am now pursuing my PhD in the Davy lab at VUW, where I will be studying coral bleaching mechanisms. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading fantasy novels, and playing board games with friends. I endeavour to continue my work with cnidarian symbiosis in the future and expand my contributions to STEM education.
My Research
The microbiome is a collection of fungi, viruses, bacteria, and protists associated with a particular organism. I am interested in investigating the microbiome of marine invertebrates in relation to their physiology, evolution, and ecology.
Coral Bleaching
Bleaching is a widespread phenomenon caused by the breakdown in the relationship between corals and their symbiotic dinoflagellates. The goal of my doctoral research is to investigate this association on the cellular level to help us understand bleaching mechanisms.
Host-Symbiont Interactions
Corallicolids are a newly discovered anthozoan symbiont and my goal is to use transcriptomics to analyze the change in gene expression between infected and uninfected host cells in order to learn more about their impact on the host.
Origin of Microbiomes
I am investigating the microbes associated with marine insects and their terrestrial relatives to learn about how organisms develop their microbiomes. Are they passed down between generations or taken from the environment?
Education
2024-Present
University of British Columbia
PhD Marine Biology
Thesis: Symbiont Digestion in the Cnidarian-Dinoflagellate Symbiosis
2021-2023
University of British Columbia
M.SC Botany
Thesis: De Novo Assembly of a Zoanthid Transcriptome for the Study of Corallicolids
2017-2021
University of British Columbia
B.Sc Honours in biology with distinction
Thesis: Marine Midge Microbiome
Teaching
2020-2021
Introductory Molecular Biology Laboratory, UBC
Teaching Assistant
Led lab sections of upper-level undergraduates learning various molecular techniques
Outreach
2023
Haka Dive Center, Panglao
Coral Nursery Scuba Diver
Fragmented, out-planted, and cleaned reef-building corals to help maintain a nursery in the Philippines.
Awards
2024
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington Doctoral Scholarship
Highly competitive PhD scholarship covering tuition and stipend for three years.
2020
University of British Columbia
Summer UnderGraduate Research Experience Award
Award to subsidize undergraduate student’s work on scientific research projects.