Talk story with Christina Runyon

Christina Runyon is a second year graduate student in marine biology at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.

She was recently chosen to lead the university’s ongoing investigation of the cyanobacterial disease that is killing populations of rice coral along Kaua‘i’s shores. Runyon will work directly under the guidance of Dr. Greta Aeby, assistant researcher for the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology at UH, and Sean Callahan, a professor in UH’s Department of Microbiology.

A video clip of Christina Runyon in the lab can be found at http://vimeo.com/48178985.

1 When did you first decide you wanted to study marine biology? Why were you drawn to this line of work?

Christina Runyon: Since I was a kid, I have always been drawn to the ocean and all the unknowns of the deep. I loved watching Jacques Cousteau documentaries, enjoyed playing in the water and went to the beach and tide pools to explore whenever possible. I have always had an interest in working with animals, in particular marine organisms. I started out working in a veterinary clinic as a technician and then with pinnipeds (fin-footed mammals) in Laguna Beach. After moving here to Hawai‘i, I became very interested in the backbone of the ecosystem here — corals.

2 What experience do you have working with coral disease?

CR: In 2008 I began work with Dr. Greta Aeby as an undergraduate intern. I was first trained in coral ecology and fish parasitology and moved into the coral disease realm. I became an Eyes of the Reef member and was trained in recognizing and documenting coral disease events, which entails field surveys, coral species identification and underwater photography, all done by snorkel. I have been fortunate enough to be part of a team that has reported three major disease events here in the Indo-Pacific; two Kane‘ohe Bay acute Montipora White Syndrome Outbreak episodes (2010 and 2011), an Acroporid Growth Anomaly (coral tumors) event in American Samoa (2011 and 2012) and an Acorporid White Syndrome event at Palmyra Atoll in 2012.  

3 What is one thing most people don’t know about coral reefs that you think they should?

CR: Without coral reef systems the Hawaiian Islands would not have been as self-sufficient or capable of supporting a large human population. Coral reefs are of cultural, biological, ecological and economical importance. The roles that corals play within an ecosystem are astronomical. From building substrate and houses for other organisms to grow, to providing nutrients to a nutrient-poor environment — with the means to support a plethora of tropical marine organisms, all equally important to the diversity and endemism of the Garden Isle.

4 I understand the University of Hawai‘i is in the process of trying to secure funding for you to come to Kaua‘i to lead its study of the recent outbreak. Until that happens, how will be spending your time? What are you currently working on?

CR: I have been working in the lab trying to culture and identify the pathogens and main players in this fast-moving tissue loss disease, as well as writing grants to try and help secure funding for a long term study. In order to better understand what is going on with this disease, the lab component of this project is just as important as the field component. I am greatly looking forward to investigating what is currently going on in these ecosystems. I have also been viewing historical video footage of the sites with was supplied by Eyes of the Reef member Terry Lilley. I am trying to assess the change over time that is occurring as this disease moves across the surface of coral colonies.

5 What do you feel will be the biggest challenge moving forward with this study?

CR: As with all studies, getting funding seems to be the biggest obstacle. The people of Kaua‘i have been so generous and have offered help in many ways — from free gear to a place to stay. We have had many offers of volunteers to act as verbal supporters of the cause, as well as water men/women willing to get in the water and help document the loss of coral cover and the overall health of the ecosystem.

6 What are your personal feelings about Kaua‘i? What makes this place so special?

CR: I have great respect for the Island of Kaua‘i and all her surrounding waters. I have spent some time on the North Shore, have had the privilege of trekking the Na Pali Coast and love all the aspects of land and ocean stewardship that the communities support.

7 Why should people be concerned about what is happening to Kaua‘i’s reefs?

CR: The most concerning aspect of what is going on with the reports of disease and the reduction of coral cover that is being observed is that these reefs should be “pristine.” Each site in which the cyanobacterial infection has been reported are very different — ecologically and demographically — and for this disease to be reported at some sites is very puzzling.

8 What do you feel is the future of Kaua‘i’s reefs? What needs to happen to ensure they are around for future generations?

CR: This is up to the people of Kaua‘i and the governing bodies that are in power at this time. If all take a proactive stance and set goals to better the overall health of the reefs from mauka to makai, this can be history in the making. In order to do so, land usage and ocean stewardship must become major focuses and the underlying causes of this disease need to be teased out. By getting the word out to the public and allowing the communities to be good stewards of their own front and backyards, the people of Kaua‘i can make a difference for the next generation to come. If we do not take action now our reefs can go down the same path as the Florida Keys and a massive shift from coral dominated reefs to (invasive) algal reefs can occur, which will greatly change the dynamic of this ecosystem.

9 When not working or studying, how do you like to spend your time?

CR: I am an avid outdoorsman. I enjoy running, swimming, diving and hiking. I spend a lot of time with my family and friends when I am not studying or working.