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Carlo Caruso

Senior Scientist

My Research

I am interested in using extant thermal tolerance in coral populations to augment evolutionary rescue of coral reefs under future climate scenarios. Adaptation of corals in warming ocean conditions and resource management actions supported by the biology of coral bleaching are my focal research interests. I work on projects investigating the efficacy of selective coral propagation for use in reef restoration and the distribution of thermal-tolerance as a trait within coral populations. I also work on development of novel instrumentation and experimental apparatus combining engineering, programming, and electronics to support coral research. I have previously worked for the National Park Service, as the manager of a molecular biology and genetics laboratory, and as a middle school science teacher.

Education and Experience

PhD - University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Marine Biology, 2017-present

MS - Stanford University, Biology, 2007-2008

BS  - University of North Carolina, Education, 1990-1994                                                  

Current Projects

  • Post-hoc selective breeding

  • Optimization of abiotic factors for improved growth and survivorship of Juvenile Corals

  • Trade-offs to thermal tolerance in reef-building corals

Publications

Caruso C, Hughes K, Drury C. Perspectives on Selecting Heat-Tolerant Corals for Proactive Restoration. Frontiers in Marine Science (2021): https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.632027/full

Roach TNF, Yadav S, Caruso C, Dilworth J, Foley CM, Hancock J, Hucekba J, Huffmyer AS, Hughes K, Kahkejian VA, Madin EMP, Matsuda S, McWilliam M, Miller S, Santoro EP, Rocha de Souza M, Torres-Pulliza D, Drury C, Madin JS. A field primer for monitoring benthic ecosystems using structure-from-motion photogrammetry. In Press. Journal of Visual Experimentation (2021): https://doi.org/10.3791/61815

Dilworth J, Caruso C, Kahkejian V, Baker AC, Drury C. Host genotype and stable differences in algal symbiont communities explain patterns of thermal stress response of Montipora capitata following thermal pre-exposure and across multiple bleaching events. Coral Reefs (2020): https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-020-02024-3