The Science of Alt Protein: Cell cultures with seafood relevant marine species

Cathy Walsh, PhD

SENIOR SCIENTIST, MARINE IMMUNOLOGY PROGRAM
MOTE MARINE LABORATORY

Dr. Walsh is a Senior Scientist and Program Manager for the Marine Immunology Program at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL.  She obtained her PhD from Clemson University and has been a research scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory for 34 years. Her research focuses on basic and applied research on the immune systems of marine vertebrates, including cartilaginous fishes (sharks, skate, rays), Florida manatees, and sea turtles. Basic immunological research with marine species explores how immune systems from different species function and potentially lead to novel insights into the evolution of the immune system. Dr. Walsh’s current research projects explore how environmental stressors such as red tide toxins, or brevetoxins, can impact immune health of marine species. Other project areas include research on cytotoxic factors produced by cells of the shark immune system that have the potential to benefit human health, and research on the bioactivity of stingray venom. Her more recent research projects focus on the development of cell lines from marine finfish and invertebrates.