Sea stars are an iconic symbol of the ocean. But in recent years, their existence on North America’s west coast has come under threat. Melissa Pespeni, an assistant professor of biology at UVM, is one of a small number of researchers looking for answers as to why the mysterious sea star wasting disease turns some species to goo. Here, she explains how this research is vital to understanding our oceans, our world, and our future.

Read more about The Pespeni Lab’s research.

About Faculty Feature:

What makes our faculty members tick? In this video series, get up close and personal with our professors. Hear them talk about their passions, their paths to UVM and why they love what they study, from the mysteries of Lake Champlain's sculpin to the stories of homeless children in Pakistan.