QnAs with Mark Hay

Abstract

All organisms, particularly those that lack vision and hearing, rely on chemical cues to locate food and potential mates, avoid predators, or suppress competitors. Chemical signals constitute a language through which diverse organisms interact, and deciphering the language could deepen researchers’ understanding of ecological communities. Mark Hay, a marine ecologist at the Georgia Institute of Technology, has pioneered the study of chemical signaling in marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs. Through a combination of field and laboratory research, he has shown how chemical cues and signals mediate interactions between seaweeds, corals, and herbivores, and help shape their populations. Hay’s work also has implications for coral reef conservation. In recognition of his accomplishments, the National Academy of Sciences awarded Hay the 2018 Gilbert Morgan Smith Medal for excellence in research on algae. PNAS spoke with Hay about the work that led to his award. Mark Hay. Image courtesy of Candace Klein (photographer). Mark Hay initiating a hookah dive in Fiji. Image courtesy of Julia Kubanek (photographer). > PNAS:What led you to study chemical signals in marine ecosystems? > Hay:I was looking at how plants on coral reefs evolved to deal with attack by herbivores. As an example, we find many seaweeds that occur only on reef flats and don’t occur on the deeper reef slope where herbivores are more common. We …