Full Name

Bret Grasse

Bret Grasse specializes in the advancement of novel cephalopod husbandry and culture.  Throughout his career, Bret has directed several notable cephalopod operations including the world's first large-scale cephalopod exhibition at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  In 2017, Bret joined the MBL as Manager of Cephalopod Operations.  Bret directs all core cephalopod husbandry operations, broodstock management, strategic planning, and financial oversight of the Cephalopod Program.  The MBL Cephalopod Program’s overarching goal is to stimulate the next generation of cephalopod science by creating the first genetically tractable cephalopod research organisms. A cephalopod genetic system is important because it will be used to study biological novelties that are unique to this taxon. Examples include the ability to produce near-perfect camouflage, extensive recoding of genetic information within mRNAs, as well as the biggest nervous systems, and the most sophisticated behaviors, among invertebrates.  Our year-round culture efforts will serve as a foundation for these research efforts.