We recently said goodbye to Matilde Marzucchi, who spent the last six months as a visiting student at BEM Lab. Matilde has returned to the University of Milano-Bicocca in Milan, Italy, where she is pursuing her master’s degree in biology.

During her time at BEM Lab, Matilde’s passion for zoology led her to delve into the fascinating world of arthropods, particularly focusing on the biodiversity of crabs (decapods) in the Red Sea. Her research involved using DNA barcoding techniques to uncover and catalog the diverse array of hidden, or "cryptic," crab species in this region. This reference library of crab species serves as a critical resource, much like an ancestry test, helping scientists understand how the diversity of these animals evolves over time and across different habitats.

With the Red Sea’s wealth of cryptic crab species, Matilde chose the perfect location for her research. We are excited to see the results of her work and its contribution to our understanding of marine biodiversity. Stay tuned for updates on her findings—once we have them, we’ll be sure to share!

As always, we welcome collaborations and connections with researchers whose interests align with ours. If you’re exploring similar topics, don’t hesitate to reach out. We love partnering with scientists at all stages of their careers!