My research explores how temperature affects mitochondrial organization and morphology across different tissues of the amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis, which serves as my model organism. A central objective is to determine whether temperature induces changes in mitochondrial characteristics at cellular level and whether these changes are reflected in the physiological and behavioral performance of whole organism. 

To address this question, I acclimatize P. hawaiensis under varying temperatures and investigate mitochondrial responses at cellular level by confocal laser scanning microscopy following MitoTracker staining. This approach allows me to visualize and quantify changes in mitochondrial morphology, distribution and abundance under varying temperature conditions.  

To link cellular responses with functional perspective, I measure whole-organism oxygen consumption rates across a thermal gradient. Ultimately, I assess behavioral performance of the living animal using a video-based tracking approach. By combining cellular, physiological and behavioral data, we aim to uncover how temperature can influence the interaction between tissue-specific mitochondrial organization and whole-animal performance. In a world increasingly shaped by climate change, I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that enable organisms to adapt, persist and function in rapidly changing environments