For my current citation statistics see my goggle scholar profile.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2017 Ph.D. Zoology, University of Hawaii. Advisor Dr. Ruth Gates
2002 M.S. Biology, University of Guam. Advisor Dr. Valerie Paul
1998 B.S. Biology/Ecology. The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Wa.
Professional Experience
2019-current Adjunct Professor. Santa Clara University. Teaching; Molecular Biology, Genetics, Intro to Biology, Ecology, Endangered Ecosystems, Marine Ecology
2017-current Research Associate, Hope for Reefs Initiative. California Academy of Science.
EPA Star Fellow, University of Hawaii. 2014-2016
Co-Instructor, University of Hawaii. Advanced Topics in Marine Biology (Bio 404) for 12-22 senior undergraduates. Spring 2013, Fall 2016, Spring 2017.
Teaching Assistant, University of Hawaii. Introductory Biology Laboratory (Bio 171) for 48 undergraduate students. Fall 2013/Spring 2014. Ecology and Evolution Laboratory (Bio 265) for 32 undergraduate students Fall 2012.
Research Technician, Smithsonian, Fort Pierce Fl. Marine Chemical Ecology. Field and laboratory research of marine chemical ecology in a wide variety of organisms (i.e. algae, corals, sponges, gorgonians, and nudibranchs). Extensive use of GC/MS and HPLC to isolate, characterize, and quantify marine natural products. Training of undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students in modern instruments and techniques in chemical ecology. Supervisor: Dr. Valerie Paul 2003-2012
Research Assistant II, University of Guam. The diversity, feeding, and chemical ecology of settlement and metamorphosis in Phestilla nudibranchs. Supervisor: Dr. Valerie Paul 2001-2002
Instructor, Invertebrate Zoology. A two-week undergraduate course (for students from Lewis and Clark College) on tropical Pacific invertebrates and coral identification, including lectures, field, and lab instruction. Supervisor: Dr. Ken Clifton Jan. 2002
Research Assistant II, University of Guam. Quantitative marine invertebrate diversity surveys using SCUBA. Supervisor: Dr. Gustav Paulay 2000
Animal Husbandry, Underwater World, Guam. Maintained and designed exhibits and cared for animals in large aquariums. Supervised the water quality laboratory. Supervisor: Reid Withrow, Curator 1999-2000
Teaching Assistant, The Evergreen State College, WA. Invertebrate Zoology. Taught invertebrate
ecology, diversity and morphology to undergraduate students. Supervisor: Dr. Erik Thuesen Fall 1997/Spring1998
Publications
2020
50. Ritson-Williams, R. and Gates, R.D. (2020) Coral community resilience to successive years of bleaching in Kaneohe Bay, Hawai'i. Coral Reefs 39:757-769.
49. Forsman, Z., Ritson-Williams, R., Tisthammer, KH, Knapp, ISS, Toonen, R. (2020) Host-symbiont coevolution, cryptic structure, and bleaching susceptibility, in a coral species complex (Scleractinian; Poritidae). Scientific Reports 10:1-12
48. Matthews, J.L., Cunning, R., Ritson-Williams, R., Oakley, C.A., Lutz, A., Roessner, U., Grossman, A.R., Weis, V.M., Gates, R.D., Davy, S.K. (2020) Metabolite pools of the reef building coral Montipora capitata are unaffected by Symbiodiniaceae community composition. Coral Reefs 39:1727-1737.
47. Putnam, H., Ritson-Williams, R., Cruz, J.A., Davidson, J.M., Gates R.D. (2020) Environmentally-induced parental or developmental conditioning influences coral offspring ecological performance. Scientific Reports 10:13664.
46. Ritson-Williams, R., C., Arnold, S., Paul, V.J. (2020) The impact of macroalgae and cyanobacteria on larval survival and settlement of the scleractinian corals Acropora palmata, A. cervicornis, and Pseudodiploria strigosa. Marine Biology 167:31.
2019
45. Quinlan, Z., Ritson-Williams, R., Carroll, B., Carlson, C.A., Nelson, C.E. (2019) Species-specific differences in the microbiomes and organic exudates of crustose coralline algae influence bacterioplankton communities. Frontiers in Microbiology 10:02397.
44. Wall C.B., Ritson-Williams, R., Popp, B., Gates, R.D. (2019) Spatial variation in the biochemical and isotopic composition of corals during bleaching and recovery. Limnology and Oceanography 64:2011-2028.
43. Puglisi, M., Sneed, J., Ritson-Williams, R., Young, R. (2019) Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments. Natural Product Reports 36:405-450.
2018
42. Innis, T., Cunning, R., Ritson-Williams, R., Wall C.B., Gates, R.D. (2018) Coral color and depth drive symbiosis ecology of Montipora capitata in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Coral Reefs 37: 423-430.
2017
41. R., Ross, Fogarty, N., Ritson-Williams, R., C., Paul, V.J. (2017) Interspecific variation in coral settlement and fertilization success in response to hydrogen peroxide exposure. Biological Bulletin. 233:206-218.
2016
40. Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., Paul, V.J. (2016) Elevated temperature and allelopathy impact coral recruitment. PLoS One 11:e0166581.
39. Cunning R., Ritson-Williams, R., Gates, R.D. (2016) Patterns of bleaching and recovery of Montipora capitata in Kaneohe Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series 551:131-139.
38. Ritson-Williams, R., Arnold, S., Paul, V.J. (2016) Patterns of larval settlement preferences and post-settlement survival for seven Caribbean corals. Marine Ecology Progress Series 548:127-138.
37. Capper, A., Ericsson, A.A., Ritson-Williams R., Becerro, M.A., Arthur, K.A., Paul, V.J. (2016) Palatability and chemical defenses of benthic cyanobacteria to a suite of herbivores. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 474:100-108.
2015
36. Sneed, J.M., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J. (2015) Crustose coralline algal species host distinct bacterial assemblages on their surfaces. ISME Journal 9:2527-2536.
35. Gomez, C., Paul, V.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Muehllehner, N., Langdon, C., Sanchez, J.A. (2015) Responses of the tropical gorgonian coral Eunicea fusca to ocean acidification conditions. Coral Reefs 34:451-460.
34. Baeza, J.A., Hemphill, C.A., Ritson-Williams, R. (2015) The sexual and mating system of the shrimp Odontonia katoi (Palaemonidae, Pontoniinae), a symbiotic guest of the ascidian Polycarpa aurata in the coral triangle. PLOS One 10:e0121120.
2014
33. Olsen, K., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Ross, C. (2014) Combined effects of macroalgal presence and elevated temperature on the early life-history stages of a common Caribbean coral. Marine Ecology Progress Series 509:181-191.
32. Puglisi, M. Sneed, J., Sharp, K., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J. (2014) Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments. Natural Product Reports 31:1510-1553.
31. Ritson-Williams, R., Arnold, S.N., Paul, V.J., Steneck, R.S. (2014) Larval settlement preferences of Acropora palmata and Montastraea faveolata in response to diverse red algae. Coral Reefs 33: 59-66.
2013
30. Pawlik, J.R., Amsler, C.D., Ritson-Williams, R., McClintock, J.B., Baker, B.J., Paul, V.J. (2013) Marine Chemical Ecology: A Science Born of Scuba. Smithsonian Contributions to Marine Science 39: 53-69.
29. Kirk, N., Ritson-Williams, R., Coffroth, M.A., Miller, M.W., Fogarty, N.D., Santos, S.R. (2013) Tracking transmission of apicomplexan symbionts in diverse Caribbean corals. PLoS One 8: e80618.
28. Yotsu-Yamashita, M., Abe, Y., Kudo, Y., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Konoki, K., Cho, Y., Adachi, M., Imazu, T., Nishikawa, T., Isobe, M. (2013) First identification of 5,11-Dideoxytetrodotoxin in marine animals, and characterization of major fragment ions of tetrodotoxin and its analogs by high resolution ESI-MS/MS. Marine Drugs 11: 2799-2813.
27. Olsen, K, Ritson-Williams, R., Ochrietor, J.D., Paul, V.J., Ross, C. (2013) Detecting hyperthermal stress in larvae of the hermatypic coral Porites astreoides: the suitability of using biomarkers of oxidative stress versus heat-shock protein transcriptional expression. Marine Biology 160: 2609-2618.
26. Baeza, J.A., Ritson-Williams, R., Fuentez, M.S. (2013) Sexual and mating system in a caridean shrimp symbiotic with the winged pearl oyster in the Coral Triangle. Journal of Zoology 289: 172-181.
25. Ross, C., Ritson-Williams, R., Olsen, K, Paul, V.J. (2013) Short-term and latent post-settlement effects associated with elevated temperature and oxidative stress on larvae from the coral Porites astreoides. Coral Reefs 32: 71-79.
2012
24. Morrow, K, Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., Liles, M.R, Paul, V.J. (2012) Macroalgal extracts induce bacterial assemblage shifts and sublethal tissue stress in Caribbean corals. PLoS One 7: e44859.
2011
23. Paul, V.J., Kuffner, I.B., Walters, L.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Beach, K.S., Becerro, M.A. (2011) Chemically mediated interactions between macroalgae Dictyota spp. and multiple life-history stages of the coral Porites astreoides. Marine Ecology Progress Series 426: 161-170.
22. Paul, V.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Sharp, K. (2011) Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments. Natural Product Reports 28: 345-387.
2010
21. Sharp, K., Ritchie, K., Schupp, P., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J. (2010) Bacterial acquisition in juveniles of several broadcast spawning coral species. PLoS One 5: e10898.
20. Ritson-Williams, R. (2010) Surface brooding in the Caribbean gorgonian Pterogorgia anceps. Coral Reefs 29: 437.
19. Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Arnold, S., R.S. Steneck (2010) Larval settlement preferences and post-settlement survival of the threatened Caribbean corals Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis. Coral Reefs 29: 71-81.
18. Ross, C., Ritson-Williams, R., Pierce, R., Bullington, J. B., V. J. Paul (2010) Effects of the Florida red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, on oxidative stress and metamorphosis of larvae of the coral Porites astreoides. Harmful Algae 9: 173-179.
17. Matthew, S., Ratnayake, R., Becerro, M.A., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Luesch, H. (2010) Intramolecular modulation of serine protease inhibitor activity in a marine cyanobacterium with antifeedant properties. Marine Drugs 8: 1803-1816.
2009
16. Ritson-Williams, R., Arnold, S., Fogarty, N., Steneck, R.S., Vermeij, M.J.A., Paul V.J. (2009) New perspectives on ecological mechanisms affecting coral recruitment on reefs. Smithsonian Contributions to Marine Science 38: 437-457.
15. Kuffner, I.K., Paul, V.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Hickey, T.D., Walters, L.J. (2009) Reef communities in the Dry Tortugas (Florida, USA): Baseline surveys for the new no-take area. Proceedings of the 11th Inter Coral Reef Symposium: 311-315.
14. Ritson-Williams, R., Shjegstad, S.M., Paul V.J. (2009) Larval metamorphosis of Phestilla spp. in response to waterborne cues from corals. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 375: 84-88.
2008
13. Gunasekera, S. P., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul V.J. (2008) Carriebowmide, a new cyclodepsipeptide from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya polychroa. Journal of Natural Products 71: 2060-2063.
12. Paul, V. J. and Ritson-Williams, R. (2008) Marine chemical ecology. Natural Product Reports 25: 662-695.
2007
11. Paul, V.J., Arthur, K.E., Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., Sharp, K. (2007) Chemical defenses: from compounds to communities. Biological Bulletin 213: 226-251.
10. Ritson-Williams, R., Shjegstad, S.M., Paul V.J. (2007) Larval metamorphic competency in four species of Phestilla (Gastropoda; Opisthobranchia). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 351: 160-167.
9. Ritson-Williams, R. and Paul, V.J. (2007) Marine benthic invertebrates use multimodal cues for defense against reef fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 340: 29-39.
8. Ritson-Williams, R. and Paul, V.J. (2007) Periclimenes yucatanicus and Periclimenes rathbunae on unusual corallimorph hosts. Coral Reefs 26: 147.
2006
7. Kuffner, I., Walters, L., Becerro, M., Paul, V.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Beach, K. (2006) Inhibition of coral recruitment by macroalgae and cyanobacteria. Marine Ecology Progress Series 323: 107-117.
6. Paul, V. J., Puglisi, M., Ritson-Williams R. (2006) Marine chemical ecology. Natural Product Reports 23(2): 153-180.
5. Ritson-Williams, R., Yotsu-Yamashita, M., Paul V.J. (2006) Ecological functions of tetrodotoxin in a deadly polyclad flatworm. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 103: 3176-3179.
2005
4. Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Bonito, V. (2005) Marine benthic cyanobacteria overgrow coral reef organisms. Coral Reefs 24: 629.
3. Ritson-Williams, R., Becerro, M., Paul, V.J. (2005) Spawning of the giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta in Belize. Coral Reefs 24: 160.
2003
2. Ritson-Williams, R., Shjegstad, S.M., Paul V.J. (2003) Host specificity of four corallivorous Phestilla nudibranchs. Marine Ecology Progress Series 255:207-218.
1. Newman, L., Paulay, G., Ritson-Williams R. (2003) Checklist of polyclad flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from Micronesian coral reefs. Micronesica 35/36: 189-199.
Research Grants and Fellowships
2017 $120,000 NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology. Measuring population connectivity for the
conservation of marine diversity. Declined.
2015 $10,000 Jessie D. Kay Memorial Research Grant. Acclimatization of coral
populations to local and global stressors: can corals adapt to future threats? University of Hawaii (UH)
2014 $82,000 EPA STAR Fellowship. Acclimatization of coral populations to local and global stressors: can
corals adapt to future threats?
2014 $3,000 UH Watson T. Yoshimoto Fellowship. Coral larval adaptation in response to multiple modern stressors.
2013 $2,000 UH Edmondson Grant. Patterns of genotypic diversity of the coral Pocillopora damicornis at multiple reefs on
O’ahu.
2013 $5,000 UH Maybelle Roth Fellowship (ARCS). Testing the Response of Coral to Local and Global Stressors.
2013 $1,500 Lerner-Gray Fund (American Museum of Natural History). The evolutionary implications of larval settlement
variability in corals.
2001 $400 Grant in Aid of Research (Sigma Xi). Studies of aposematism in Phyllidiid nudibranchs on Guam.
2001 $2,000 Lerner-Gray Fund (American Museum of Natural History). Biogeography of chemical defenses in Phyllidiid
nudibranchs.
Honors and Awards
2017 $100 2016 Zoology Graduate Student of the Year. University of Hawaii.
2016 Best Presentation-Honorable Mention in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology,
Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology.
2015 Best Paper-Honorable Mention for a presentation. 40th UH Albert L. Tester Symposium.
2013 Best Paper-Honorable Mention for a presentation. 38th UH Albert L. Tester Symposium.
2009 Smithsonian Staff Photo Contest: 1st prize (Places) and 3rd prize (Things).
2002 University of Guam Outstanding Graduate Student in Biological Sciences.
2001 $1,000 Paul-Gates Memorial Scholarship.
Presentations (most recent of over 50 scientific talks)
Ritson-Williams, R. Invited Seminar Speaker at Clemson University. Building coral resilience in a brave new world. October 2017.
Ritson-Williams, R. Invited Symposium Speaker. The coral conundrum: The role of microbes in coral larval ecology. International Larval Biology Symposium. August 2017.
Ritson-Williams, R. Invited Seminar Speaker. Patterns and processes driving corals' response to a changing world. EPA Headquarters in Washington D.C. February 2016.
Ritson-Williams, R. R. D. Gates. Coral bleaching in Hawaii. A window into reefs of the future. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. January 2016.
Ritson-Williams, R., H. Putnam, R. D. Gates. Coral recruitment in a high CO2 environment: A trans-generational perspective. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. January 2015.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, C. Ross, K. Olsen. Relative impacts of global and local stressors on coral recruitment. Ocean Science Meeting.February 2014.
Ritson-Williams, R. and V. J. Paul. Global and local stressors reduce coral recruitment. University of Hawaii Albert L. Testers Memorial Symposium. March 2013
Ritson-Williams, R. and V. J. Paul. Patterns and processes driving coral recruitment. University of Hawaii Marine Biology Graduate Seminar. February 2013.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, S. Arnold, R.S. Steneck, C. Ross. Positive and negative effects of benthic algae on coral recruitment. International Coral Reef Symposium. July 2012.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul. Coral recruitment in the garden of good and evil. Invited public lecture CIEE Research Station (Bonaire). October 2011.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, S. Arnold, R.S. Steneck. Picky coral larvae select specific coralline species. Benthic Ecology Meeting. March 2011.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, S. Arnold, R.S. Steneck. Do coral larvae chose between species of coralline algae. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. January 2011.
Ritson-Williams, R., C. Ross, V. J. Paul. Global and local stressors interact to reduce coral larval survival and settlement. Benthic Ecology Meeting. March 2010.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, S. Arnold, R.S. Steneck. Towards a better understanding of coral recruitment. Linking Science to Management: A Conference and Workshop on the Florida Keys Marine Ecosystem. October 2010
Professional Service and Organizations
Reviewer for scientific journals; Marine Ecology Progress Series, Coral Reefs, Marine Biology, PeerJ, BMC Ecology,
Scientific Reports, Royal Society Open Science, Global Ecology and Conservation
International Society for Reef Studies
Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
American Microscopy Society
National Science Teachers Association
Research Skills
AAUS and Certified PADI divemaster with >1,000 dives. Nitrox certified, underwater photography and video and small boat handling. Medic first-aid and oxygen provider.
Extensive molecular ecology and organic chemistry experience including the maintenance of thermocyclers, HPLC’s, GC/MS and roto-evaporators.
Data analysis, statistics, page layout, word processing and command line experience.
2017 Ph.D. Zoology, University of Hawaii. Advisor Dr. Ruth Gates
2002 M.S. Biology, University of Guam. Advisor Dr. Valerie Paul
1998 B.S. Biology/Ecology. The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Wa.
Professional Experience
2019-current Adjunct Professor. Santa Clara University. Teaching; Molecular Biology, Genetics, Intro to Biology, Ecology, Endangered Ecosystems, Marine Ecology
2017-current Research Associate, Hope for Reefs Initiative. California Academy of Science.
EPA Star Fellow, University of Hawaii. 2014-2016
Co-Instructor, University of Hawaii. Advanced Topics in Marine Biology (Bio 404) for 12-22 senior undergraduates. Spring 2013, Fall 2016, Spring 2017.
Teaching Assistant, University of Hawaii. Introductory Biology Laboratory (Bio 171) for 48 undergraduate students. Fall 2013/Spring 2014. Ecology and Evolution Laboratory (Bio 265) for 32 undergraduate students Fall 2012.
Research Technician, Smithsonian, Fort Pierce Fl. Marine Chemical Ecology. Field and laboratory research of marine chemical ecology in a wide variety of organisms (i.e. algae, corals, sponges, gorgonians, and nudibranchs). Extensive use of GC/MS and HPLC to isolate, characterize, and quantify marine natural products. Training of undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students in modern instruments and techniques in chemical ecology. Supervisor: Dr. Valerie Paul 2003-2012
Research Assistant II, University of Guam. The diversity, feeding, and chemical ecology of settlement and metamorphosis in Phestilla nudibranchs. Supervisor: Dr. Valerie Paul 2001-2002
Instructor, Invertebrate Zoology. A two-week undergraduate course (for students from Lewis and Clark College) on tropical Pacific invertebrates and coral identification, including lectures, field, and lab instruction. Supervisor: Dr. Ken Clifton Jan. 2002
Research Assistant II, University of Guam. Quantitative marine invertebrate diversity surveys using SCUBA. Supervisor: Dr. Gustav Paulay 2000
Animal Husbandry, Underwater World, Guam. Maintained and designed exhibits and cared for animals in large aquariums. Supervised the water quality laboratory. Supervisor: Reid Withrow, Curator 1999-2000
Teaching Assistant, The Evergreen State College, WA. Invertebrate Zoology. Taught invertebrate
ecology, diversity and morphology to undergraduate students. Supervisor: Dr. Erik Thuesen Fall 1997/Spring1998
Publications
2020
50. Ritson-Williams, R. and Gates, R.D. (2020) Coral community resilience to successive years of bleaching in Kaneohe Bay, Hawai'i. Coral Reefs 39:757-769.
49. Forsman, Z., Ritson-Williams, R., Tisthammer, KH, Knapp, ISS, Toonen, R. (2020) Host-symbiont coevolution, cryptic structure, and bleaching susceptibility, in a coral species complex (Scleractinian; Poritidae). Scientific Reports 10:1-12
48. Matthews, J.L., Cunning, R., Ritson-Williams, R., Oakley, C.A., Lutz, A., Roessner, U., Grossman, A.R., Weis, V.M., Gates, R.D., Davy, S.K. (2020) Metabolite pools of the reef building coral Montipora capitata are unaffected by Symbiodiniaceae community composition. Coral Reefs 39:1727-1737.
47. Putnam, H., Ritson-Williams, R., Cruz, J.A., Davidson, J.M., Gates R.D. (2020) Environmentally-induced parental or developmental conditioning influences coral offspring ecological performance. Scientific Reports 10:13664.
46. Ritson-Williams, R., C., Arnold, S., Paul, V.J. (2020) The impact of macroalgae and cyanobacteria on larval survival and settlement of the scleractinian corals Acropora palmata, A. cervicornis, and Pseudodiploria strigosa. Marine Biology 167:31.
2019
45. Quinlan, Z., Ritson-Williams, R., Carroll, B., Carlson, C.A., Nelson, C.E. (2019) Species-specific differences in the microbiomes and organic exudates of crustose coralline algae influence bacterioplankton communities. Frontiers in Microbiology 10:02397.
44. Wall C.B., Ritson-Williams, R., Popp, B., Gates, R.D. (2019) Spatial variation in the biochemical and isotopic composition of corals during bleaching and recovery. Limnology and Oceanography 64:2011-2028.
43. Puglisi, M., Sneed, J., Ritson-Williams, R., Young, R. (2019) Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments. Natural Product Reports 36:405-450.
2018
42. Innis, T., Cunning, R., Ritson-Williams, R., Wall C.B., Gates, R.D. (2018) Coral color and depth drive symbiosis ecology of Montipora capitata in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Coral Reefs 37: 423-430.
2017
41. R., Ross, Fogarty, N., Ritson-Williams, R., C., Paul, V.J. (2017) Interspecific variation in coral settlement and fertilization success in response to hydrogen peroxide exposure. Biological Bulletin. 233:206-218.
2016
40. Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., Paul, V.J. (2016) Elevated temperature and allelopathy impact coral recruitment. PLoS One 11:e0166581.
39. Cunning R., Ritson-Williams, R., Gates, R.D. (2016) Patterns of bleaching and recovery of Montipora capitata in Kaneohe Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series 551:131-139.
38. Ritson-Williams, R., Arnold, S., Paul, V.J. (2016) Patterns of larval settlement preferences and post-settlement survival for seven Caribbean corals. Marine Ecology Progress Series 548:127-138.
37. Capper, A., Ericsson, A.A., Ritson-Williams R., Becerro, M.A., Arthur, K.A., Paul, V.J. (2016) Palatability and chemical defenses of benthic cyanobacteria to a suite of herbivores. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 474:100-108.
2015
36. Sneed, J.M., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J. (2015) Crustose coralline algal species host distinct bacterial assemblages on their surfaces. ISME Journal 9:2527-2536.
35. Gomez, C., Paul, V.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Muehllehner, N., Langdon, C., Sanchez, J.A. (2015) Responses of the tropical gorgonian coral Eunicea fusca to ocean acidification conditions. Coral Reefs 34:451-460.
34. Baeza, J.A., Hemphill, C.A., Ritson-Williams, R. (2015) The sexual and mating system of the shrimp Odontonia katoi (Palaemonidae, Pontoniinae), a symbiotic guest of the ascidian Polycarpa aurata in the coral triangle. PLOS One 10:e0121120.
2014
33. Olsen, K., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Ross, C. (2014) Combined effects of macroalgal presence and elevated temperature on the early life-history stages of a common Caribbean coral. Marine Ecology Progress Series 509:181-191.
32. Puglisi, M. Sneed, J., Sharp, K., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J. (2014) Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments. Natural Product Reports 31:1510-1553.
31. Ritson-Williams, R., Arnold, S.N., Paul, V.J., Steneck, R.S. (2014) Larval settlement preferences of Acropora palmata and Montastraea faveolata in response to diverse red algae. Coral Reefs 33: 59-66.
2013
30. Pawlik, J.R., Amsler, C.D., Ritson-Williams, R., McClintock, J.B., Baker, B.J., Paul, V.J. (2013) Marine Chemical Ecology: A Science Born of Scuba. Smithsonian Contributions to Marine Science 39: 53-69.
29. Kirk, N., Ritson-Williams, R., Coffroth, M.A., Miller, M.W., Fogarty, N.D., Santos, S.R. (2013) Tracking transmission of apicomplexan symbionts in diverse Caribbean corals. PLoS One 8: e80618.
28. Yotsu-Yamashita, M., Abe, Y., Kudo, Y., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Konoki, K., Cho, Y., Adachi, M., Imazu, T., Nishikawa, T., Isobe, M. (2013) First identification of 5,11-Dideoxytetrodotoxin in marine animals, and characterization of major fragment ions of tetrodotoxin and its analogs by high resolution ESI-MS/MS. Marine Drugs 11: 2799-2813.
27. Olsen, K, Ritson-Williams, R., Ochrietor, J.D., Paul, V.J., Ross, C. (2013) Detecting hyperthermal stress in larvae of the hermatypic coral Porites astreoides: the suitability of using biomarkers of oxidative stress versus heat-shock protein transcriptional expression. Marine Biology 160: 2609-2618.
26. Baeza, J.A., Ritson-Williams, R., Fuentez, M.S. (2013) Sexual and mating system in a caridean shrimp symbiotic with the winged pearl oyster in the Coral Triangle. Journal of Zoology 289: 172-181.
25. Ross, C., Ritson-Williams, R., Olsen, K, Paul, V.J. (2013) Short-term and latent post-settlement effects associated with elevated temperature and oxidative stress on larvae from the coral Porites astreoides. Coral Reefs 32: 71-79.
2012
24. Morrow, K, Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., Liles, M.R, Paul, V.J. (2012) Macroalgal extracts induce bacterial assemblage shifts and sublethal tissue stress in Caribbean corals. PLoS One 7: e44859.
2011
23. Paul, V.J., Kuffner, I.B., Walters, L.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Beach, K.S., Becerro, M.A. (2011) Chemically mediated interactions between macroalgae Dictyota spp. and multiple life-history stages of the coral Porites astreoides. Marine Ecology Progress Series 426: 161-170.
22. Paul, V.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Sharp, K. (2011) Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments. Natural Product Reports 28: 345-387.
2010
21. Sharp, K., Ritchie, K., Schupp, P., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J. (2010) Bacterial acquisition in juveniles of several broadcast spawning coral species. PLoS One 5: e10898.
20. Ritson-Williams, R. (2010) Surface brooding in the Caribbean gorgonian Pterogorgia anceps. Coral Reefs 29: 437.
19. Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Arnold, S., R.S. Steneck (2010) Larval settlement preferences and post-settlement survival of the threatened Caribbean corals Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis. Coral Reefs 29: 71-81.
18. Ross, C., Ritson-Williams, R., Pierce, R., Bullington, J. B., V. J. Paul (2010) Effects of the Florida red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, on oxidative stress and metamorphosis of larvae of the coral Porites astreoides. Harmful Algae 9: 173-179.
17. Matthew, S., Ratnayake, R., Becerro, M.A., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Luesch, H. (2010) Intramolecular modulation of serine protease inhibitor activity in a marine cyanobacterium with antifeedant properties. Marine Drugs 8: 1803-1816.
2009
16. Ritson-Williams, R., Arnold, S., Fogarty, N., Steneck, R.S., Vermeij, M.J.A., Paul V.J. (2009) New perspectives on ecological mechanisms affecting coral recruitment on reefs. Smithsonian Contributions to Marine Science 38: 437-457.
15. Kuffner, I.K., Paul, V.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Hickey, T.D., Walters, L.J. (2009) Reef communities in the Dry Tortugas (Florida, USA): Baseline surveys for the new no-take area. Proceedings of the 11th Inter Coral Reef Symposium: 311-315.
14. Ritson-Williams, R., Shjegstad, S.M., Paul V.J. (2009) Larval metamorphosis of Phestilla spp. in response to waterborne cues from corals. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 375: 84-88.
2008
13. Gunasekera, S. P., Ritson-Williams, R., Paul V.J. (2008) Carriebowmide, a new cyclodepsipeptide from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya polychroa. Journal of Natural Products 71: 2060-2063.
12. Paul, V. J. and Ritson-Williams, R. (2008) Marine chemical ecology. Natural Product Reports 25: 662-695.
2007
11. Paul, V.J., Arthur, K.E., Ritson-Williams, R., Ross, C., Sharp, K. (2007) Chemical defenses: from compounds to communities. Biological Bulletin 213: 226-251.
10. Ritson-Williams, R., Shjegstad, S.M., Paul V.J. (2007) Larval metamorphic competency in four species of Phestilla (Gastropoda; Opisthobranchia). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 351: 160-167.
9. Ritson-Williams, R. and Paul, V.J. (2007) Marine benthic invertebrates use multimodal cues for defense against reef fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 340: 29-39.
8. Ritson-Williams, R. and Paul, V.J. (2007) Periclimenes yucatanicus and Periclimenes rathbunae on unusual corallimorph hosts. Coral Reefs 26: 147.
2006
7. Kuffner, I., Walters, L., Becerro, M., Paul, V.J., Ritson-Williams, R., Beach, K. (2006) Inhibition of coral recruitment by macroalgae and cyanobacteria. Marine Ecology Progress Series 323: 107-117.
6. Paul, V. J., Puglisi, M., Ritson-Williams R. (2006) Marine chemical ecology. Natural Product Reports 23(2): 153-180.
5. Ritson-Williams, R., Yotsu-Yamashita, M., Paul V.J. (2006) Ecological functions of tetrodotoxin in a deadly polyclad flatworm. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 103: 3176-3179.
2005
4. Ritson-Williams, R., Paul, V.J., Bonito, V. (2005) Marine benthic cyanobacteria overgrow coral reef organisms. Coral Reefs 24: 629.
3. Ritson-Williams, R., Becerro, M., Paul, V.J. (2005) Spawning of the giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta in Belize. Coral Reefs 24: 160.
2003
2. Ritson-Williams, R., Shjegstad, S.M., Paul V.J. (2003) Host specificity of four corallivorous Phestilla nudibranchs. Marine Ecology Progress Series 255:207-218.
1. Newman, L., Paulay, G., Ritson-Williams R. (2003) Checklist of polyclad flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from Micronesian coral reefs. Micronesica 35/36: 189-199.
Research Grants and Fellowships
2017 $120,000 NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology. Measuring population connectivity for the
conservation of marine diversity. Declined.
2015 $10,000 Jessie D. Kay Memorial Research Grant. Acclimatization of coral
populations to local and global stressors: can corals adapt to future threats? University of Hawaii (UH)
2014 $82,000 EPA STAR Fellowship. Acclimatization of coral populations to local and global stressors: can
corals adapt to future threats?
2014 $3,000 UH Watson T. Yoshimoto Fellowship. Coral larval adaptation in response to multiple modern stressors.
2013 $2,000 UH Edmondson Grant. Patterns of genotypic diversity of the coral Pocillopora damicornis at multiple reefs on
O’ahu.
2013 $5,000 UH Maybelle Roth Fellowship (ARCS). Testing the Response of Coral to Local and Global Stressors.
2013 $1,500 Lerner-Gray Fund (American Museum of Natural History). The evolutionary implications of larval settlement
variability in corals.
2001 $400 Grant in Aid of Research (Sigma Xi). Studies of aposematism in Phyllidiid nudibranchs on Guam.
2001 $2,000 Lerner-Gray Fund (American Museum of Natural History). Biogeography of chemical defenses in Phyllidiid
nudibranchs.
Honors and Awards
2017 $100 2016 Zoology Graduate Student of the Year. University of Hawaii.
2016 Best Presentation-Honorable Mention in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology,
Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology.
2015 Best Paper-Honorable Mention for a presentation. 40th UH Albert L. Tester Symposium.
2013 Best Paper-Honorable Mention for a presentation. 38th UH Albert L. Tester Symposium.
2009 Smithsonian Staff Photo Contest: 1st prize (Places) and 3rd prize (Things).
2002 University of Guam Outstanding Graduate Student in Biological Sciences.
2001 $1,000 Paul-Gates Memorial Scholarship.
Presentations (most recent of over 50 scientific talks)
Ritson-Williams, R. Invited Seminar Speaker at Clemson University. Building coral resilience in a brave new world. October 2017.
Ritson-Williams, R. Invited Symposium Speaker. The coral conundrum: The role of microbes in coral larval ecology. International Larval Biology Symposium. August 2017.
Ritson-Williams, R. Invited Seminar Speaker. Patterns and processes driving corals' response to a changing world. EPA Headquarters in Washington D.C. February 2016.
Ritson-Williams, R. R. D. Gates. Coral bleaching in Hawaii. A window into reefs of the future. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. January 2016.
Ritson-Williams, R., H. Putnam, R. D. Gates. Coral recruitment in a high CO2 environment: A trans-generational perspective. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. January 2015.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, C. Ross, K. Olsen. Relative impacts of global and local stressors on coral recruitment. Ocean Science Meeting.February 2014.
Ritson-Williams, R. and V. J. Paul. Global and local stressors reduce coral recruitment. University of Hawaii Albert L. Testers Memorial Symposium. March 2013
Ritson-Williams, R. and V. J. Paul. Patterns and processes driving coral recruitment. University of Hawaii Marine Biology Graduate Seminar. February 2013.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, S. Arnold, R.S. Steneck, C. Ross. Positive and negative effects of benthic algae on coral recruitment. International Coral Reef Symposium. July 2012.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul. Coral recruitment in the garden of good and evil. Invited public lecture CIEE Research Station (Bonaire). October 2011.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, S. Arnold, R.S. Steneck. Picky coral larvae select specific coralline species. Benthic Ecology Meeting. March 2011.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, S. Arnold, R.S. Steneck. Do coral larvae chose between species of coralline algae. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. January 2011.
Ritson-Williams, R., C. Ross, V. J. Paul. Global and local stressors interact to reduce coral larval survival and settlement. Benthic Ecology Meeting. March 2010.
Ritson-Williams, R., V. J. Paul, S. Arnold, R.S. Steneck. Towards a better understanding of coral recruitment. Linking Science to Management: A Conference and Workshop on the Florida Keys Marine Ecosystem. October 2010
Professional Service and Organizations
Reviewer for scientific journals; Marine Ecology Progress Series, Coral Reefs, Marine Biology, PeerJ, BMC Ecology,
Scientific Reports, Royal Society Open Science, Global Ecology and Conservation
International Society for Reef Studies
Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
American Microscopy Society
National Science Teachers Association
Research Skills
AAUS and Certified PADI divemaster with >1,000 dives. Nitrox certified, underwater photography and video and small boat handling. Medic first-aid and oxygen provider.
Extensive molecular ecology and organic chemistry experience including the maintenance of thermocyclers, HPLC’s, GC/MS and roto-evaporators.
Data analysis, statistics, page layout, word processing and command line experience.