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Susan Clayden

PhD Student

Field:  red algal systematics

Research:  relationships among members of the related orders
Acrochaetiales, Colaconematales and Palmariales

My project was defined upon answering without hesitation “Do you like microscopy”?  I was introduced to cultures of tiny red algae dotting the bottom of small plastic Petri dishes which upon microscopic examination are little discs formed by coherent filaments. They are members of the Palmariales.  Anatomical, genetic, and life history analyses have resolved many diminutive acrochaetioid algae in unique genera (Grania (resurrected), Rhodonematella, Rubrointrusa, and Rhododrewia).

Special Interests (in biological systematics): cultures of algae, life history, development                         

Publication (select):   Clayden SL  & Saunders GW.  2010.  Phycologia (49):  283-300.
Other Activities:   ‘Let’s Talk Science’,  swimming