Steven Roberts

  • Professor, SAFS

Research areas

Research in our lab focuses on characterizing the physiological responses of marine organisms to environmental change. Using integrative approaches we strive to examine impacts and adaptive potential from the nucleotide to organismal level. A core component of this includes investigating the functional relationship of genetics, epigenetics, and transcription. At the molecular level, we are examining the role of DNA methylation in organismal physiology and the potential of the process to impact resilience and evolution. Several of our ongoing projects focus on clams and oysters including how environmental conditions can impact phenotype through time. In addition, we are examining the intersection of reproductive maturation and resilience in shellfish. For a full list of projects see our website.

I am considering accepting new graduate students at this time. Please indicate your interest using this form and learn more about the environment and expectations.


Courses


Areas of Expertise

  • Physiology
  • Genomics
  • Aquaculture
  • Epigenetics
  • Marine Invertebrates

 

Selected publications

  • Katherine Silliman, Laura H Spencer, Samuel J White, Steven B Roberts. Epigenetic and Genetic Population Structure is Coupled in a Marine Invertebrate, Genome Biology and Evolution, Volume 15, Issue 2, 2023, evad013, https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evad013

  • George, M. N.,  Cattau, O.,  Middleton, M. A.,  Lawson, D.,  Vadopalas, B.,  Gavery, M., &  Roberts, S. B. (2023). Triploid Pacific oysters exhibit stress response dysregulation and elevated mortality following heatwaves. Global Change Biology,  00,  1–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16880

  • Wanamaker , S. A., Venkataraman, Y. R., Gavery, M. R., Roberts, S. B., Bhattacharya, D., Downey-Wall, A., Eirin-Lopez, J. M., Johnson, K. M., Lotterhos, K. E., Puritz, J. B., & Putnam, H. M. (2022). Invertebrate methylomes provide insight into mechanisms of environmental tolerance and reveal methodological biases. Molecular Ecology Resources, 22, 1247– 1261. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13542

  • Gavery MR, Roberts SB. (2017Epigenetic considerations in aquaculture PeerJ 5:e4147 doi: 10.7717/peerj.4147