Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 12/06/2026Ending this almost a month-long research trip here in Katsuura, Chiba where I examined the black coral collections at Umihaku (Coastal Branch of Natural History Museum & Institute). Especially grateful to curator Dr. Kensuke Yanagi whose exceptional hospitality is second to none! 001
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Visited yesterday the small yet important black coral collection of the late Prof. Kumao Kinoshita (1881-1947), a prominent Japanese coral taxonomist. Some of his specimens are currently missing but several are deposited at The University of Tokyo where he used to work. 020
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 06/06/2026I am usually powered by caffeine everyday but spent the whole day earlier drowned by fumes of either ethanol or formalin. Such a privilege to examine the black coral collection of the late Emperor Showa at the Museum of Nature and Science (NSMT). One important collection down, onward to the next! 020
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 05/06/2026Wrapped up my training on NGS workflows at AIST. Working on black coral systematics. Grateful to @hkise.bsky.social for the invite, access to facilities and resources, as well as hands-on instruction. Travel support was made possible by @icrs.bsky.social graduate fellowship. 010
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 07/10/2025Counting down my days as a fellow at SI NMNH. Nothing but pure bliss to be here. 010
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 31/07/2025Back on land after a month of being at sea sampling in Earth's most remote ecosystem - the deep sea. Always just grateful for the experience and the kind people I have met during that time. @dsbsoc.bsky.social 041
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 01/07/2025The D-ARK (Deep-Sea Archaic Refugia in Karst) voyage continues! Was able to join as an @oceancensus.bsky.social participant last year. And now, on its second year, I am lucky to be part of it again with the generous cruise support provided by @dsbsoc.bsky.social. 040
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 13/03/2025Grabbing one of the "Kinoshita" coral treasures here at the University Museum, University of Tokyo. Collected back in 1894, described in 1910, and opening it for re-examination after decades. 020
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 17/01/2025So lucky to be here in Hong Kong for the @dsbsoc.bsky.social #DSBS17. I appreciate the travel grants provided to me by @oceancensus.bsky.social and DSBD17 (via @deepstewardship.bsky.social ). Such a humbling experience!! 1105
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 17/01/2025Had the privilege to interact with THE @drmtaylor.bsky.social at #dsbs17 🤩🤩 130
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 13/01/2025In Hong Kong for the #17DSBS! Special thanks to @oceancensus.bsky.social and @DOSI for grants that allowed me to travel to this beautiful city. 161
Kurt @kurtbb.bsky.social · 29/11/2024Grateful to the Society of Systematic Biologists for the Early Systematists Award that allowed me to travel to Miyazaki to present our initial findings on the black corals of 🇯🇵 during the 27th JCRS. 010