Tiana Acito

Conducts research on Cnidarian symbioses, utilizing technologies like RNA interference and competition experiments. Designs experiments, conducts molecular analyses, and interprets data independently and collaboratively.

Serves as a committee member for the International Cassiopea Workshop, contributing to the planning of social and educational tutorials. Coordinates and organizes interactive activities and helps plan and facilitate hands-on tutorials. Collaborates with committee members to execute both social and instructional components of the workshop.

Assisted in various projects in the lab related to stony coral tissue loss disease and coral bleaching from experimental setup and design to molecular analyses, such as qPCR and library prep for sequencing. Oversaw undergraduate and graduate training in laboratory protocols. Worked both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced laboratory environment. Attended seminars and symposiums to improve overall knowledge and understanding.

Worked alongside PhD students to complete various experiments related to stony coral tissue loss disease in both adult corals and in isolated algal symbiont cultures. Data was collected using various microscopy techniques, IPAM, and the collection of samples for DNA and RNA extractions. Analyzed samples on qPCR and prepared extracted DNA and RNA for downstream analyses like RNAseq. Tracked the progression of disease lesions using ImageJ software.

Participated in a semester-long research intensive program at the University of Miami aimed to introduce students to laboratory and field techniques used in coral research, including coral and benthic community cover surveys, calcification and hypoxia, coral bleaching and algal symbiosis, and microorganism identification within the coral microbiome. Established proper laboratory etiquette and safety protocols. Attained skills for setting up field and laboratory experiments. Improved scientific writing and reading capabilities as

well as science communication