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Speare Lab
Marine Microbial Ecology
Dr. Lauren Speare
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Ocean Science & Engineering
My lab investigates the social lives of marine bacteria, how they interact with their surrounding environment, and how these interactions impact the ecosystems they inhabit. Currently our projects focus on bacterial symbionts of marine invertebrates with an emphasis on Scleractinian corals.
My lab's research uses interdisciplinary approaches to address questions about marine microbial ecology. Using a combination of genetic, molecular, bioinformatic, and in vivo experimentation, our work aims to provide insights into fundamental microbiology, symbiosis establishment & maintenance, and disease progression & mitigation. laurenspeare@gatech.edu
2024-
Chloe Manley
Lab Technician
& MS Student
My research interests lie in the dynamics of marine microbial ecology, specifically the interactions between bacterial diseases, their coral hosts, and fluxing human-driven nutrient subsidies. In the Speare Lab, I conduct both lab-based and reef-based studies to further understand these interactions' roles in coral health and resilience. cmanley38@gatech.edu
2024-
Dr. Macey Coppinger
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am interested in studying host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions through the use of bacterial genetics and experimental evolution. In the Speare lab, I work with predator and prey bacteria to identify genes and mechanisms involved in prey specificity and overall predation efficiency. I also hope to develop molecular genetics tools for Halobacteriovorax to further the study of these marine predators. mcoppinger3@gatech.edu
2024-
Kelly Lumpkin
PhD Student
My research interests include anything surrounding marine conservation and sustainability. My research experience spans from cichlid behavior in mating to Great Barrier Reef monitoring. In the Speare Lab, I am researching coral disease and potential mitigation strategies to improve coral reef health. klumpkin3@gatech.edu
2025-
Rowan Thomas, MS
PhD Student
My research interests are focused on molecular microbial ecology, with an emphasis on understanding the interactions between corals and their associated microbial communities. In the Speare lab, I am studying the interactions between predatory and prey bacteria and how these relationships might influence the development and progression of coral disease. rthomas376@gatech.edu
2025-
Athena Peterson
PhD Student
I am interested in studying dynamics among marine microbial communities, specifically interactions within coral host microbiomes and how these interactions relate to coral health and climate change. In the Speare Lab, I hope to investigate the role of the prominent coral symbiont Endozoicomonas within the coral microbial community as it relates to coral disease development and progression. apeterson83@gatech.edu
Undergraduate Researchers
2024-
Priya Master
Undergraduate
I am a fourth year at Georgia Tech and am excited to continue learning about the complexities of microbial interactions in a variety of contexts. In the Speare Lab I examine temperature-dependent effects on the coral symbiont Endozoicomonas using culture assays and mutagenesis.
pmaster7@gatech.edu
2025-
Maggie Yancey
Undergraduate
I am a second year at Georgia Tech and am interested in coral, animal behavior, and marine organismal interactions. In the Speare Lab, I am characterizing coral bacterial isolates and learning coral husbandry.
myancey32@gatech.edu
2025-
Ryan Li
Undergraduate
I am a fourth year at Georgia Tech and passionate about the conservation of our coral reefs! I work to take care of the corals in the Speare Lab for manipulative coral experiments.
rli473@gatech.edu
2025-
Honoka Schamberger
Undergraduate
I am a second year biology major at Georgia Tech and have a keen interest in marine life and disease. In the Speare Lab, I primarily care for our stony corals.
hschamberger3@gatech.edu
2025-
Leia Kolodzey
Undergraduate
I am a first year at Georgia Tech and I enjoy learning about the microbial predator-prey interactions within coral microbiomes. I am learning coral husbandry through action by taking care of stony corals.
lkolodzey6@gatech.edu
2025-
Brooklynn Aviles
Undergraduate
I am a second year biochemistry student at Georgia Tech and I am interested in coral health and resilience. In the Speare lab, I am helping to care for our stony corals through coral husbandry.
baviles6@gatech.edu
Alumni
2025
Hiya Patel
Undergraduate
2024
Adam Young
Research Assistant
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