Karen Hudson

About

I am the shellfish aquaculture specialist in the Marine Advisory Program.  I’ve been at VIMS for over 20 years, with the first half of my career working on a variety of oyster-related research including molecular genetics of oyster species and marine pathogens and growing oysters in the hatchery and field with the Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center (ABC).  My recent work is focused on outreach and advisory service in molluscan shellfish aquaculture, mainly facilitating communication between the research community and shellfish aquaculture stakeholders.  I work closely with the shellfish culture industry, regulatory agencies and external groups whose actions directly or indirectly impact the conduct and expansion of shellfish culture in Virginia.  I work with faculty and students to foster the development of applied research projects to address complex shellfish culture problems and provide advice and resources for people that want to start growing molluscan shellfish.  I am the science advisor and VIMS liaison to the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA), facilitator of VIMS’ Shellfish Aquaculture Industry Advisory Committee, and involved in providing guidance and outreach on a variety of research projects involving shellfish culture.

Current focus areas include supporting collaborative research on shellfish health in the hatchery; shellfish seed biosecurity; and assessing vulnerability of the shellfish industry to ocean acidification and other co-stressors.  I am also coordinator of the Virginia Fishery Resource Grant Program