Naturalist Night: The Deep Sea, and Discovering New Species

Dive into the mysterious world of the deep sea with marine scientist Kaila Pearson. Journey beyond the reach of sunlight to explore one of Earth’s least understood environments, where bizarre creatures have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive crushing pressure, perpetual darkness, and scarce resources.
Kaila will introduce the different zones of the deep ocean and the fascinating animals that call them home, revealing how life thrives in conditions that seem impossible. She’ll also share stories, photographs, and discoveries from her graduate research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where she studied deep-sea worms and helped describe and name three species new to science, including the aptly named “Vampire Worms.”
Whether you’re fascinated by marine biology, ocean exploration, or strange and wonderful deep-sea creatures, this talk offers a glimpse into a hidden world few people ever get to see.