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Welcome to The Castillo Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill

Research projects in the Castillo lab bridge the fields of ecology and physiology. We employ various ecophysiological research tools and techniques to study the mechanisms underlying relationships between corals and their physical environment.

Currently, our research focuses on establishing quantitative links between field and laboratory experiments to understand how temperate and tropical corals interact with their physical surroundings and how this affects their physiological performance. We also use these ecophysiological methods to examine and predict the impacts of climate change on corals across a cascade of ecological scales. Additionally, we investigate the effects of local human activities on corals to provide a more comprehensive assessment of coral ecophysiological responses.

Our research projects address questions from ecological, organismal, cellular, and molecular perspectives, reflecting the evolving nature of coral biology and marine physiological ecology.

By collaborating with local, national, and international partners, we strive to apply our findings to help conserve and manage coral reefs for future generations.