Noyo Center Talks Science
with Sunflower Star Labs
Our guest presenters for this program are Lauren Schiebelhut, Ashley Kidd, and Andrew Kim from Sunflower Star Laboratory (SSL), a Monterey-based non-profit committed to researching and developing reliable and scalable aquaculture methods for sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) conservation and reintroduction.
Learn more about the program and the scientists:
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Starting in 2013, the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) experienced 88–100% mortality from all but the northernmost portion of its range during a sea star wasting (SSW) outbreak with elevated water temperatures. We used whole genome sequencing (WGS) analyses to describe contemporary population genetic structure contextualized with historical samples to better understand the genetic landscape of Pycnopodia. These results provide insights to help inform future conservation actions for this ecologically important species in the face of ongoing global change.
Lauren Schiebelhut earned her Ph.D. at the University of California, Merced, conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Merced and the University of California, Davis. She has extensive field experience working in temperate and tropical marine systems, with macrophytes as well as marine invertebrates. Lauren is currently working with the Sunflower Star Laboratory to advance conservation genomics work for the sunflower sea star while also working as a Biology Instructor at Clovis Community College. Her work is supported by the National Science Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and Revive & Restore.
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The Sunflower Star Laboratory was formed in response to the observed kelp forest ecosystem shifts off our coast. The mission of the Sunflower Star Laboratory is to protect the diversity of coastal ecosystems by supporting research and developing scalable aquaculture methods to restore sunflower stars to their historic range in California. We are proud to engage our community through outreach, volunteer positions and paid internships, and to share the information from the greater scientific community who are working on understanding the diverse aspects of this species recovery.
Ashley Kidd's passion in aquaculture began as a professional aquarist in public aquariums, supporting sustainable exhibits and conservation initiatives, notably with SECORE coral conservation & the White Abalone Recovery Project. She holds an MS in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Florida, researching sunflower sea stars & their restoration through public aquarium engagement. She is fortunate to continue this work at SSL, contributing to the Pycnopodia Recovery Working Group; and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Saving Animals from Extinction Sunflower Sea Star program.
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On Valentines Day, 2024 a male and female sunflower sea star were successfully spawned at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, producing the first cohort of juvenile sunflower stars in the state. Moss Landing Marine Labs was one of five institutions in California who applied their expertise in aquaculture to explore opportunities for research and restoration of this critically endangered species.
Andrew Kim has over 12 years of experience in animal husbandry and aquaculture in Monterey Bay. He is currently the lead aquaculture research technician at Moss Landing Marine Labs where he is offering technical support on a variety of aquaculture-related projects from Purple-Hinged Rock Scallop larviculture to bull kelp restoration. He previously worked at Long Marine Labs and at the Monterey Abalone Company, where he managed scientific collections and abalone production from hatchery to harvest.
Watch a recording of the program:
You can help scientists studying the health and recovery of sunflower stars and other sea stars affected by wasting syndrome by reporting your observations. MARINe and iNaturalist are great ways to do that. Visit the links below to learn more about how you can participate.
