Whitney Laboratory

Read the full research @LabLiao @Whitney_Lab at doi.org/10.1242/jeb.25…

It's hard to tell whether fish behave the same in the lab as they do in the real world & now in an impressive study @LabLiao @Whitney_Lab reveals that red drum don't just take advantage of free rides from the water, their biological needs take priority doi.org/10.1242/jeb.25…

Studying the Effects of the Microbiome on the Life-Cycle of the Floridian Local, Upside-Down Jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana - Loesgen Lab, in collaboration with the Martindale Lab, publish paper in the journal ISME Communications. whitney.ufl.edu/news--events/n…

With a single analysis of a sample of water, soil or air, scientists can identify the DNA of virtually any species that has passed near an area. Dr. David Duffy and collaborators study in @uflorida news article - news.ufl.edu/2026/05/river-…

Whitney Laboratory Director and Professor of Biology Dr. Veronica Hinman was featured in the Action News Jax story - "UF Research into Sea Stars Could Help Unlock Human Regeneration of Cells" actionnewsjax.com/news/local/uf-…

The University of Florida launches the $41.2 million, 38,000-square-foot @Whitney_Lab Marine Research Center, more than doubling research space and expanding capacity for marine science, education and conservation. 🙌 🐢 news.ufl.edu/2026/04/whitne…

Just back from the Simulated Bodies workshop @JaneliaHHMI. Great to catch up with dear old friends and meet new ones. Bonus: Michael Dickinson’s biomechanics standup-lecture. Bringing ideas and good vibes back to @Whitney_Lab and @UF.

I’ve always been impressed with the research drive of my postdocs, but equally impressed with their Halloween fish origami creativity for our lab door! Thanks Ishani, Fan and Zihou for keeping it spooky…. @Whitney_Lab @UF

A new study from @SoilWaterSci, @Whitney_Lab & @SJRWMD shows how biosolids-treated sandy soils release #phosphorus over time after examining recent & former application sights. #SoilScience #Biosolids #Agriculture #WaterQuality acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.100…

Getting some love from my home journal— beyond honored 🙏🐟 “We are highlighting James Liao, who was awarded the 2024 Ig Nobel Prize in Physics for his 2004 @J_Exp_Biol study, as an extraordinary biologist.” #100biologists @Harvard @UF @Whitney_Lab @IgNobel @SICB_

Now Hiring! We seek a creative, collaborative scientist whose research harnesses or advances cutting-edge tools, including AI, data science, robotics, biophysics, computer vision, advanced imaging, multi-omics, chemical biology, and synthetic biology. explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/5372…

Flagler County youth explored Florida’s coastal and freshwater ecosystems during the 🍀4-H Marine Science Camp, led by Florida Sea Grant Ext. Agent Carolyn Kovacs and Agriculture and UF/IFAS Natural Resources Agent George Laibl. 🐠🌊 Highlights included examining plankton under the microscope, learning to throw a cast net, visiting the UF Whitney sea turtle hospital and the Welaka National Fish Hatchery, and hands-on activities to learn about sustainability and water quality. Learn more about Florida Sea Grant’s marine and coastal education programs and initiatives here: bit.ly/3U89koj #SeaGrantSTEM

Such a great accomplishment!

On #WorldSeaTurtleDay and every day we celebrate @Whitney_Lab’s Sea Turtle Hospital. Catherine Eastman and her team rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles. Partnering with David Duffy, they also study turtle tumors and plastic pollution to better understand marine and human health.

Researchers @Whitney_Lab have used shotgun sequencing to monitor and track biodiversity, genetic diversity and pathogens from airborne eDNA >>> biotechniques.com/pcr-sequencing…

Vacuuming DNA from the air, @Whitney_Lab researchers have found a groundbreaking way to monitor wildlife and help revolutionize conservation science at @UF. news.ufl.edu/2025/06/air-en…

The city of Dublin is famous for its lively pub culture and traditional music, but a new study led by David Duffy from @UF reveals the city's air also contains traces of substances like cannabis and magic mushrooms, detected through environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.

Duffy’s lab at @Whitney_Lab originally developed new methods for deciphering environmental DNA to study sea turtle genetics. They have now expanded these eDNA methods to monitor DNA from humans, wildlife, and pathogens without direct contact. news.ufl.edu/2025/06/air-en…

Rescue of limited regeneration in a marine annelid model. 'Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes posterior axial regeneration in non-regenerative tissue of the annelid Capitella teleta' by @_lauren_k__ @Whitney_Lab @SocDevBio @UF sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Last week, representatives from Florida Sea Grant (FSG), Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC), and the UF Whitney Laboratory participated in the Marine Finfish Aquaculture Summit, hosted by the Florida Marine Aquaculture Coalition. The summit brought together a diverse group of aquaculture industry professionals committed to advancing sustainable aquaculture in Florida. FSG Aquaculture Marketing & Communications Specialist, Emily Riewestahl gave a presentation about the HARVEST program. Her talk featured examples of student interns who have gained hands-on experience in the finfish sector, underscoring the importance of workforce development in aquaculture.🐟🌊 We’re grateful to the Florida Marine Aquaculture Coalition for organizing this valuable event and look forward to continued partnerships that support innovation and sustainability in marine aquaculture.