Jamie Wagner

I study deep-sea biology, focusing on chemosynthetic habitats - where bacteria convert chemicals into energy for the start of the food chain (as opposed to photosynthetic habitats - where plants convert light into energy).  I am interested in the ecology and community structure of the animals found at and around these unique deep-sea ecosystems.  I especially enjoy the field aspect of my work, going out to sea on research ships and working with robotic vehicles or small submersibles to explore habitats beyond the depths that humans could otherwise reach.

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My research has brought me on cruises using a range of deep-sea research technologies including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operative vehicles (ROVs), and a human occupied vehicle (HOV). These vehicles assist in scoping out which areas are good for collecting samples, as well as using mechanical arms to bring biological samples back to the surface. These survey data and samples are later analyzed in an onshore lab.

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