Michael Reuscher, M.Sc.

Michael is one of the first generation of students in the new Marine Biology Ph.D. program at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, working with Dr. Thomas Shirley. His research focus is on the systematics, phylogeny and biogeography of polychaete worms. Michael hopes to gather data during the expedition that supports the protection of the B.C. deep water coral reefs and also to collect samples of polychaetes living on the corals.

Michael received his Masters degree from the University of Heidelberg (Germany) where he studied polychaete worms from the deep sea, mainly from hydrothermal vents and cold seeps from around the world. So far he has found seven new species belonging to three different families whose descriptions are currently published, in press and preparation, respectively.