Highlighting the Scripps College Profiles: Theodora Mautz

In the vast expanse of the ocean, a group of researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, are delving into the intriguing world of cephalopods, a class of marine mollusks that includes squid, octopuses, cuttlefish, and nautiluses. Among these researchers is second-year PhD student Theodora Mautz, who is making waves in her field of study.

However, a recent search did not yield any results explicitly mentioning Mautz's research on cephalopod reproductive behaviors at Scripps. While the search results did reference various marine science topics and some Scripps personnel, they did not provide specific details about Mautz's specialization or the projects she is involved in.

For those seeking information about researchers at Scripps focused on cephalopod reproduction, the official Scripps Oceanography faculty directory or their marine biology department’s webpage is the best source. Here, labs and research interests are listed explicitly.

Mautz's research primarily focuses on female choice and the ways in which males and females court each other and make decisions about who to mate with in cephalopods. She has worked on a collaborative study on the courtship behaviors of weedy seadragons with researchers, curators, and aquarists at Birch Aquarium at Scripps and the South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation.

Mautz is currently studying multiple paternity and mating behaviors in market squid (Doryteuthis opalescens) and mating-related visual signaling in dwarf cuttlefish (Sepia bandensis).

Born in Portland, Oregon, Mautz received her undergraduate degree in neuroscience from Harvard University. She now spends her days at Scripps in a combination of class time, genetic work in the lab, field research in the ocean, computer work in the office, and collaborative projects with other researchers.

Mautz's fascination with the diversity of reproductive strategies across species and the high intelligence of cephalopods led her to her field of study. She expresses interest in working in science communication, science museums, aquariums, research institutes with public outreach components, or as a science writer.

The most exciting thing about Mautz's work, she says, was a recent market squid spawning aggregation off the coast of La Jolla, California, where she got to observe and document the creatures up close.

Mautz is supported by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program and was previously supported through the Scripps Regents Fellowship her first year. She acknowledges several individuals who have supported her research, including her advisor Brice, labmates, various Scripps and NOAA researchers, and external mentors at other universities.

Scripps Oceanography operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, a public exploration center that welcomes 500,000 visitors each year. The institution is a world-renowned center for global earth science research and education, offering unparalleled education and training for the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders.

Post-Scripps, Mautz plans to become a professor with her own lab and continue researching mate choice, reproductive behaviors, and sensory ecology. She can be found on X (formerly Twitter) @TheodoraMautz and The Semmens Lab on Facebook.

Theodora Mautz's research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography focuses on female choice and courtship behaviors in cephalopods.
Mautz's current projects include studying multiple paternity and mating behaviors in market squid and mating-related visual signaling in dwarf cuttlefish.
Mautz received her undergraduate degree in neuroscience from Harvard University before shifting her focus to marine biology.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Mautz now spends her days at Scripps conducting a mix of classwork, laboratory work, field research, computer work, and collaborative projects.
A recent market squid spawning aggregation off the coast of La Jolla, California, was an exciting experience for Mautz.
Mautz's research is supported by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Scripps Regents Fellowship.
Mautz acknowledges several individuals who have supported her research, including her advisor Brice, labmates, various Scripps and NOAA researchers, and external mentors at other universities.
Scripps Oceanography operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.
Post-Scripps, Mautz plans to become a professor with her own lab and continue researching mate choice, reproductive behaviors, and sensory ecology.
Mautz expresses interest in working in science communication, science museums, aquariums, research institutes, or as a science writer.
Cephalopods, a class of marine mollusks, include squid, octopuses, cuttlefish, and nautiluses.
Mautz has worked on a collaborative study on the courtship behaviors of weedy seadragons with researchers, curators, and aquarists from Birch Aquarium at Scripps and the South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation.
Mautz's work in marine biology is part of a broader field of oceanographic research that seeks to understand various aspects of the ocean.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography is a world-renowned center for global earth science research and education.
Those seeking information about researchers at Scripps focused on cephalopod reproduction are encouraged to consult the official Scripps Oceanography faculty directory or their marine biology department’s webpage.
Mautz's research on cephalopod reproductive behaviors contributes to the larger field of science, which is a crucial part of health and wellness, ranging from medical conditions to chronic diseases like cancer.
Mautz's work could potentially have implications for other areas such as fertility and family planning, representing an intersection between science, medicine, and parenting.
Mautz's interest in the high intelligence of cephalopods also extends to her personal life, where she demonstrates the ability to adapt and make decisions in her chosen career path.
Mautz's future work in her own lab could potentially lead to advances in therapies and treatments for various health conditions.
Mautz's work also intersects with environmental science, as the health of the ocean and its inhabitants is closely tied to the health of our planet and climate change.
The ocean is an important resource for our planet's ecosystem, and understanding its dynamics is crucial for fisheries management, food and drink production, and supporting sustainable industries.
Mautz's work in marine biology also touches upon the broader field of finance, as investments in research and development in this area could have far-reaching implications for the economy.
Mautz's work in marine biology also contributes to the larger field of technology, as various gadgets and data and cloud computing technologies are used in oceanographic research.
Mautz's work in marine biology intersects with artificial intelligence, as computational models are used to analyze and understand the behavior of cephalopods.
Mautz's work in marine biology could also have implications for fashion and beauty, as the study of skin care and skin conditions is relevant to cephalopods.
Mautz's work in marine biology also touches upon the field of mental health, as the behavior of cephalopods may provide insights into neurological disorders.
Mautz's work in marine biology also intersects with the field of men's health, as certain aspects of cephalopod reproductive behaviors may have parallels in human biology.
Mautz's work in marine biology also has implications for women's health, as understanding cephalopod reproductive behaviors could provide insights into female reproductive health and sexual health.