Education

2006 University of Miami, B.S.
2009 Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, M.S.
2015 Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, Ph.D.

Courses Taught

Marine Invertebrate Zoology
Invertebrate Zoology
Selected Topics in Biology
Biological Research
General Biology II

Career Specialties

Kristian Taylor's research focuses on marine invertebrates. He utilizes molecular and morphological tools to elucidate relationships among echinoderm taxa, in particular the poorly understood crinoids (Echinodermata). Recently Taylor has broadened his concentration to examine how various crustacean taxa respond to environmental threats. This has lead him to work with students to study stone crab intraspecific aggression as well as how mangrove crabs respond to the presence of an invasive plant species.

Professional and Community Activities

Taylor has published several papers on crinoid phylogenetics, in which he has revised multiple species, genera and families. To improve taxonomic methods, his work has reconciled morphological characteristics with molecular markers to elucidate relationships among similar and distant taxa.

Recently, Taylor has started working with a student to examine intraspecific territoriality and aggression among stone crabs following claw removal. This work provides insight into impacts the stone crab fishery might have on population dynamics. His work with mangrove crabs seeks to determine if the invasive Brazilian peppertree, which is outcompeting the crab’s traditional mangrove habitat, has a negative impact on the crab’s normal trophic positioning in that ecosystem. This work is being done with an undergraduate biology student.

As an active member of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), Taylor regularly works with a national network of professors to discuss strategies to incorporate research into the undergraduate experience. He is also a co-author on a recent publication from CUR that discusses the benefits of a mentoring network created to incorporate more undergraduate research opportunities into higher education curriculum.

Honors and Awards

UT URI Grant
UT SURF Grant
Tampa Bay Estuary Program Grant
Tampa Bay Water Grant
NSU President's Research and Development Grant
PADI Foundation Grant