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Eco-Physiology
Pioneering ecophysiology with non-model marine invertebrates — from sea cucumbers to whelks — to fill critical data gaps in fisheries species. My work designs bold, innovative experiments that reveal how environmental stress, marine heatwaves & plastic pollution, shape physiology, reproduction, and ecosystem roles. By advancing knowledge where little exists, I aim to strengthen coastal communities and inform sustainable fisheries management
Cuc Squad 2.0
I participated in streamlining new peptide induction spawning and larval rearing methods working alongside FHL larval biology experts (Billie Swalla, Brad Shuster, Richard Strathmann). My work carried individuals from feeding through settlement — a milestone for experimental biology in this species. With these breakthroughs, I designed and ran plastic exposure trials, testing survival, developmental abnormalities, and swimming behavior.
Plastic Leachates vs.
Sea Cucumber Offspring
Breaking new ground in sea cucumber larval biology
At UW Friday Harbor Marine Labs (FHL), I helped pioneer methods that unlock how plastic pollution affects a key fisheries species (Summer 2025). I led some of the first experiments on how plastic chemical byproducts, or leachates, affect early development in the Giant sea cucumber (Apostichopus californicus), a cornerstone fisheries species in the Pacific Northwest.
Alongside these experiments, I created statistical approaches to quantify abnormality and behavior shifts under plastic leachates, offering transferable tools other researchers can adapt for data limited invertebrate fisheries. This work not only advances eco-physiology methods but also fills critical data gaps for coastal fisheries and communities
With Cuc Squad 2.0, we are turning a fisheries species once considered ‘impossible’ for reliable experimental biology work into a viable model for stressor experiments.
First long-term experimental culture of Giant sea cucumber offspring via peptide induced spawning.
Enabling efficient stressor experiments for this species
UW Friday Harbor Marine Laboratories
(X. Clare, B. Swalla, Summer 2025)
Turning Up the Heat
Kellet’s Whelk vs. Marine Heatwaves
Testing the limits of a California fishery species under rising ocean temperatures.
During my Ph.D. in the Hofmann Lab at UCSB, I investigated how marine heatwaves (MHWs) impact the reproduction and early development of the Kellet’s whelk (Kelletia kelletii), an emerging data-limited shellfish fishery in Southern California
Thermal Stress & Acclimations: In controlled experiments, I ran both short-term thermotolerance trials and a 144-day prolonged MHW simulation. These studies revealed that elevated temperatures reduced reproductive success by 23% fewer progeny, altered developmental timelines, and increased larval abnormalities and mortality. Together, the results provide some of the first physiological insights into how MHWs affect this ecologically important predator and fisheries species.
Science-In-Action: Experiment-Display: Beyond the lab, I received a Coastal Fund grant to establish an interactive “science-in-action” exhibit with UCSB’s REEF public aquarium, engaging the community with live whelk experiments while training undergraduates in larval biology and science communication.
News Articles:
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UCSB Current: "Facing the Heat" (article link)
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Coastal Fund Grantee Profile (article link)
Publication:
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Clare, X.S., Li Kui, and Gretchen E. Hofmann. "Larval Thermal Tolerance of Kellet's Whelk (Kelletia kelletii) as a Window into the Resilience of a Wild Shellfishery to Marine Heatwaves." Journal of Shellfish Research 41.2 (2022): 283-290. (article link)
Long-term MHW simulation on an the Kellet's whelk, an emerging California shellfish fishery, showing reduced fecundity and higher larval vulnerability
This project was based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation California LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship (NSF HRD-1701365), the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (Grant Number: 1650114), and UCSB Coastal Fund.
Other Works
Cuc Squad 1.0: Empowering STEM education through collaborative research
I directed the Cuc Squad Initiative (Spring 2024), a hands-on aquaculture experiment with giant sea cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus) — designed as both research and training ground. Over two months, 15 University of Washington undergraduates learned hatchery skills, engaged in testing new approaches for small-scale aquaculture.
Project Deliverables: 15 students trained • 4 trials completed • 1 prototype lab model developed