Scientific Diving: Big Island, Hawaii

Click on the following link for the main website: Marine Sponges from Hawaii

business suit? .. this is my business suit! 😀

As previously mentioned, my name is Jaaziel E. Garcia-Hernandez, I recently graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where I earned a B.S. in Marine Science. As a graduation requirement I planned out a Senior Thesis Project, which consisted of surveying, collecting, describing and performing histology of marine sponges around the island of Hawai’i. Sponges were collected using proper scientific diving procedures under AAUS auspices with the ultimate goal of isolating novel secondary metabolites from the microorganisms that are found within marine sponges. These secondary metabolites are of great importance for the use of pharmaceuticals and natural products.

I know embark on a new adventure; I am a new graduate student at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez where I will be studying and exploring the biodiversity of mesophotic reef sponges in Puerto Rico. Stay tuned for the new blog regarding these important deep coral reefs.

Feel free to email me any questions at: Jaaziel.garcia@upr.edu