Research in Emily Carrington’s laboratory, in its broadest sense, investigates the physiological ecology of marine organisms.  We share a fascination with the form and function of organisms living in physically demanding environments, where thermal, osmotic, and hydrodynamic conditions can be extreme. We generally focus on organisms common to wave-swept rocky shores, where they are alternately exposed to marine and terrestrial conditions with the rise and fall of the tides.  For example, sturdy mussels, mobile snails, and flexible seaweeds can experience cool water flowing over 10 m/s (>20 knots) in the morning, followed by an afternoon baking high and dry in the summer sun.  How do these kinds of environmental fluctuations affect the growth, survival, and reproduction of coastal organisms with such different body plans? How will these organisms fare when coastal conditions change? Our research involves both plants and animals and spans many levels of biological organization, from the mechanics of biological materials, to the persistence of populations, to the characterization of the physical environment and how it influences biological processes. We often take an ecomechanical approach to the study of living systems, applying the basic engineering principles to evaluate how organisms work in their natural habitat.  The Carrington Laboratory is located at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories and the UW Department of Biology in Seattle.

Contact Information for Emily Carrington:

e: ecarring@uw.edu; t: (206) 221-4676; f: (206) 543-1273

Twitter: @EC_carrington

mail: Friday Harbor Laboratories, 620 University Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250