Willow Dunster

Willow Dunster (she/her) is  a marine microbial ecologist exploring microbial community composition and host-microbiome interactions in seaweeds. In her dissertation work, Willow utilises ‘omics tools to understand what bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes make-up the seaweed microbiome, and how these relationship may change under climate related stressors. 

Admittance Semester and Year, Program

Fall 2024, PhD in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (Organisms and the Environment) 

Education

BS, Marine Biology, 2023, University of Rhode Island

Research Lab

Collaboration for Ocean Solutions Lab 

Correa Lab 

Selected Publications

• Lindsay, T., Dunster, W. and Prada, C. (2025). Macroalgae and light availability modulate the distribution of the temperate coral Astrangia poculataMarine Ecology, 46(1), e70001. https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.70001

• Lindsay TR, Dunster W, McMahon KW, Prada C (2025). Heterotrophic dependence and bidirectional metabolite exchange dynamics in a temperate coral. Limnology and Oceanography, 70(9), [2464-2479]. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.70141

Selected Presentations

• Dunster W, Torres S, Sookhoo S, Varona N, Sims J, Karrick CE, Landers K, Mulen-Cano E, Sandberg L, Thionnet P, Correa AMS (August 2026). Beyond coral: uncovering Symbiodiniaceae diversity in macroalgal epibiomes. International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. Auckland, New Zealand.

• Lindsay TR, Dunster W, Prada C (29 May 2024). Trophic plasticity in the facultatively mixotrophic coral Astrangia poculata across light environments. Temperate Coral Research Conference. Bristol, RI, USA. 

• Lindsay TR, Dunster W, Prada C (29 May 2024). Macroalgae and depth modulate the distribution of the temperate coral Astrangia poculata. Temperate Coral Research Conference. Bristol, RI, USA.

Selected Honors and Awards

• Honorable Mention, Graduate Research Fellowship (2023) 

• Academic Excellence Award in Marine Biology, University of Rhode Island (2023)