Biodiversity and Evolution of Sea Slugs
The Goodheart Lab studies biodiversity and evolution in marine invertebrates, particularly heterobranch gastropods. We strive to uncover how evolution produces complex functions and characters that integrate features at multiple levels of biological organization (genes, cell types, tissues, etc). Our lab primarily studies nudibranchs, a group of shell-less gastropods, and their ability to steal stinging organelles from their cnidarian prey (like jellyfish anemones). We also prioritize making the scientific process, and outputs of that process, more equitable and accessible.