Cheryl Morrison

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

I am a conservation geneticist and I use genetic and genomic tools to provide pertinent information about species of conservation concern for resource managers. This may include adding a genetic component when defining species, assessing genetic variability within populations, estimating genetic connections between populations, and more recently, using the powerful tool of environmental DNA analyses to assess marine food webs and assess patterns of biodiversity over space and time. I’ve been fortunate to work on a wide variety of organisms in my career, ranging from freshwater fishes and mussels, to butterflies, plus corals and invertebrates that inhabit both shallow and deep-sea reefs.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

My fascination with the ocean began when I was very young, spending lots of time looking for critters in tide pools on the Maine coast. Scuba allowed me to see the marine world first hand in great places such as the Caribbean, tropical Pacific, and Australia. Now I get to explore deep depths of our oceans.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

My parents allowed me to follow my curiosity and ‘get wet’ right from the beginning. They have encouraged me throughout the long journey it’s been to land a job I love. I’m very proud to be a second-generation submariner, following in the footsteps of my dad!

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

I am fascinated by the diversity of life in our oceans and the myriad of ways organisms thrive. The huge variety of shapes, sizes, and ways of life continue to amaze me, and I’m so fortunate to be able to witness so many of the ocean’s treasures firsthand. This comes full circle in my latest work utilizing eDNA techniques. Through eDNA analyses, we get glimpses of what organisms occupy different parts of the ocean (such as different water masses, reefs, or the benthos) without needing to invasively sample them. With such techniques, we are at the cusp of a much deeper understanding of the intricate food webs that allow biological diversity to thrive. This information provides the baseline information needed to track changes in our oceans quickly, if and when they occur.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

The USGS and BOEM often work together to characterize deep ocean habitats. This expedition is another opportunity to bring expertise from both agencies together to get first glimpses of this remote area of the U.S. EEZ, and I’m thrilled to be invited along by BOEM on my first Ocean Exploration Trust cruise!

What other jobs led you to your current career?

Some of my early jobs involved the water, such as life guarding and teaching swimming. I enjoyed teaching while in grad school, and especially a program that focused on middle school students spending a day at the marine lab at Florida State University.

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Florida State University; Scuba- NAUI Advanced Diver

What are your hobbies?

I love riding bikes and being out in the woods. The nexus is mountain biking on loamy, green forest trails! I also love reading, cooking, skiing, and spending time on the water. The most special times are spent with my husband and our sweet dog, family, friends.

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

There isn’t one single way to get to your dream job. Follow opportunities excite you- then work hard! All your collective experiences contribute towards the scientist you become, so enjoy the process and the amazing people you meet along the way.