Speare Lab
Marine Microbial Ecology
Current research foci include:
1. Investigating the ecological, evolutionary, and molecular mechanisms that govern the establishment, persistence, and functional consequences of marine symbioses.
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2. Investigating intermicrobial interactions and how they scale from individual microbial encounters to community structure and microbiome function.
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3. Determining how microbiome composition, microbial interactions, environmental conditions, and host traits shape infection susceptibility, disease progression, and recovery.
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4. Developing and testing microbiome-based interventions to enhance marine host health and resilience.
Current research projects:
2026-
Predator-prey Dynamics in a Complex Microbiome (PDCM)
Microbial interactions shape the structure and function of host-associated microbiomes, yet we know remarkably little about the ecological and molecular processes governing these interactions in vivo. This project uses a tripartite system between an obligate predatory bacterium, Halobacteriovorax, a marine pathogen, Vibrio coralliilyticus, and their reef-building coral host, Acropora cervicornis, to uncover the mechanisms underlying bacterial predation in complex host communities.
Funding: NIH/NIGMS Maximizing Investigator’s Research Award (MIRA; R35)
Lab members: Dr. Macey Coppinger, Rowan Thomas, & Athena Peterson
2024-
Acropora cervicornis - Halobacteriovorax to Optimize Restoration Action (AHORA)
Despite disease being a primary contributor to coral mortality, few strategies to prevent and treat disease have been developed. We aim to leverage interbacterial interactions already occurring within coral microbiomes to develop antibiotic-independent treatments for coral disease. A collaboration with the Rosales Lab at the University of Miami and NOAA, this project explores the efficacy of predatory marine bacteria, Halobacteriovorax sp., as a tool to treat bacterially-induced disease in Caribbean Staghorn corals. We also collaborate with Rescue a Reef to translate aquaria findings into the nursery- and field-deployable applications.
Funding: Ruth D. Gates Coral Restoration Innovation Grant; Georgia Tech SEI & BBISS
Lab members: Kelly Lumpkin, Chloe Manley, & Dr. Macey Coppinger.
Collaborators: Dr. Stephanie Rosales, Dr. Allyson DeMerlis, Dr Diego Lirman, & Dr. Nick MacKnight.
2025-
Animal Gut Microbiome Dynamics
Animal gut microbiomes are dynamic communities that can respond to changes in host physiology, diet, environment, and time. Using longitudinal studies across diverse aquatic animals, this project investigates the factors that shape gut microbiome composition, dynamics, and their relationships with host physiology. Current work includes year-long monitoring of beluga whale fecal microbiomes and hormones in collaboration with the Georgia Aquarium and studies of diet-associated variation in crayfish gut microbiomes in collaboration with the Hay Lab.
Beluga Project:
Lab member: Kelly Lumpkin,
Collaborator: Dr. Patrick Charapata
Crayfish Project:
Lab members: Maggie Yancey, Dr. Macey Coppinger, & Rowan Thomas
Collaborators: Dr. Stephanie Bilodeau & Dr. Mark Hay