People

Stéphane Hourdez

Works at: Station Biologique de Roscoff, France

Research in the South Pacific: I will be studying polychaetes (segmented worms with numerous bristles) with Daniel Desbruyères. We are interested in their diversity and will keep our eyes peeled for potential new species. I am especially interested in a particular subset of these worms: the Polynoidae, or scaleworms. These have scales covering their back and are very diverse at vents, representing about 10% of all species described at vents to date. They also possess relatives in shallow water all over the world, which allows us to compare them and their adaptations to their environment.

Bio snippet: I love rock climbing and sometimes act as an instructor at a local climbing wall.