Behavioral Eco-Physiology X Environmental Stress
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS:
Research:
2019 -ongoing Assistant Research Professor (tenure track)
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii Manoa
Lab Research: How endemic and invasive coral reef fishes react and adapt to natural and anthropogenic environmental stressors.
2018-2019 Research Scientist
New York University Abu Dhabi
Primary research topic: Ecological and physiological consequences of extreme thermal conditions for coral reef fishes
2015-2017 Postdoctoral Research Associate
Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin
Primary research topic: Oil pollution impact on ecologically and commercially important fish species
2014-2015 Postdoctoral Research Associate
Whitney Marine Laboratory, University of Florida
Primary research topic: Ecology of predatory fishes in high flow and turbid environments
2012-2014 Postdoctoral Research Fellow
ARC Centre of Excellent for Coral Reef Studies
Primary research topic: Global warming impacts on Coral Trout fisheries on Indo-Pacific coral reefs
Teaching:
2019-present Instructor
Specialty graduate student training courses at HIMB, UH Manoa, USA
2011-present Co-Instructor
“Fish physiology, kinematics and behaviour”, -A postgraduate summer course at University of Washington, USA
2010-2013 Instructor
“Coral Reef Ecology Field Course", -a high school course to introduce budding scientist to coral reef ecosystems
2012 Guest lecturer + teaching assistant
“Marine Animal Behavior and Experimental Design", an undergraduate course at James Cook University, Australia
2009 Guest lecturer
“Advanced Marine Biology” for exceptional students, -James Cook University, Australia
Academic journal editor:
2019-present Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
2018-present Frontiers in Marine Science (Ecology and Evolution)
2014-present Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research
Topics: coral reef ecology, fish-ecophysiology, species diversity, management
Consultancy: (Government and Industry)
2012-present Biodiversity surveys and impact assessment of tropical marine ecosystems
Expertise: coral reef fish and benthos, climate change, human activity, environmental stress
Completed consultancy projects
1. Department of the Environment, Australian Government: Coral reef biodiversity survey and fisheries impact assessment at remote Middleton and Elizabeth reefs, Queensland 2014
2. Department of the Environment, Australian Government: impacts of shipping on Giant Australian cuttlefish, South Australia 2013
3. Mining industry port development at Port Alma, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: Surveys of coral reef ecosystems within sediment dredging zones, Sea Research, Dr. Tony Ayling 2012
Management:
2009-2014 Chair of Management Committee, Bluewater Catchment Landcare Inc. A NGO working to reduce pollution and sediment loading to aquatic ecosystems. Role: Oversee all management plans, project activities, workers, and build relations with communities / stakeholders.
2019 -ongoing Assistant Research Professor (tenure track)
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii Manoa
Lab Research: How endemic and invasive coral reef fishes react and adapt to natural and anthropogenic environmental stressors.
2018-2019 Research Scientist
New York University Abu Dhabi
Primary research topic: Ecological and physiological consequences of extreme thermal conditions for coral reef fishes
2015-2017 Postdoctoral Research Associate
Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin
Primary research topic: Oil pollution impact on ecologically and commercially important fish species
2014-2015 Postdoctoral Research Associate
Whitney Marine Laboratory, University of Florida
Primary research topic: Ecology of predatory fishes in high flow and turbid environments
2012-2014 Postdoctoral Research Fellow
ARC Centre of Excellent for Coral Reef Studies
Primary research topic: Global warming impacts on Coral Trout fisheries on Indo-Pacific coral reefs
Teaching:
2019-present Instructor
Specialty graduate student training courses at HIMB, UH Manoa, USA
2011-present Co-Instructor
“Fish physiology, kinematics and behaviour”, -A postgraduate summer course at University of Washington, USA
2010-2013 Instructor
“Coral Reef Ecology Field Course", -a high school course to introduce budding scientist to coral reef ecosystems
2012 Guest lecturer + teaching assistant
“Marine Animal Behavior and Experimental Design", an undergraduate course at James Cook University, Australia
2009 Guest lecturer
“Advanced Marine Biology” for exceptional students, -James Cook University, Australia
Academic journal editor:
2019-present Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
2018-present Frontiers in Marine Science (Ecology and Evolution)
2014-present Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research
Topics: coral reef ecology, fish-ecophysiology, species diversity, management
Consultancy: (Government and Industry)
2012-present Biodiversity surveys and impact assessment of tropical marine ecosystems
Expertise: coral reef fish and benthos, climate change, human activity, environmental stress
Completed consultancy projects
1. Department of the Environment, Australian Government: Coral reef biodiversity survey and fisheries impact assessment at remote Middleton and Elizabeth reefs, Queensland 2014
2. Department of the Environment, Australian Government: impacts of shipping on Giant Australian cuttlefish, South Australia 2013
3. Mining industry port development at Port Alma, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: Surveys of coral reef ecosystems within sediment dredging zones, Sea Research, Dr. Tony Ayling 2012
Management:
2009-2014 Chair of Management Committee, Bluewater Catchment Landcare Inc. A NGO working to reduce pollution and sediment loading to aquatic ecosystems. Role: Oversee all management plans, project activities, workers, and build relations with communities / stakeholders.
EDUCATION:
2012 Ph.D. (Marine Biology)
James Cook University, ARC CoE for Coral Reef Studies
Primary research topic: Physiological resilience of coral reef fishes to sediment loading and global warming
2007 M.Sc. (Marine Biology)
James Cook University
Primary research topic: Survival of coral reef fishes in extreme high-flow conditions
2004 B.Sc. (Marine Biology)
Copenhagen University, Denmark, GPA: High Distinction
Primary research topic: Physiological and behavioral adaptation to severe hypoxia in Gadus morhua
1998 G.D. (Business and marketing)
Niels Brock Business School, Denmark
James Cook University, ARC CoE for Coral Reef Studies
Primary research topic: Physiological resilience of coral reef fishes to sediment loading and global warming
2007 M.Sc. (Marine Biology)
James Cook University
Primary research topic: Survival of coral reef fishes in extreme high-flow conditions
2004 B.Sc. (Marine Biology)
Copenhagen University, Denmark, GPA: High Distinction
Primary research topic: Physiological and behavioral adaptation to severe hypoxia in Gadus morhua
1998 G.D. (Business and marketing)
Niels Brock Business School, Denmark
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
2019 Assistant Researcher/Professor tenure track position at University of Hawai’i, HIMB, USA
2019 Associate Editor appointment for Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
2018 New York University Research and Innovation Grant (US$ 221,000)
2018 Invited Review Editor for Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution and Frontiers in Marine Science.
2017 First-authored study recommended for excellence by the faculty of 1000: Link F1000
2017 Research Scientist appointment at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), UAE
2015 Postdoctoral research appointment at University of Texas at Austin, USA
2011-2015 Co-supervisor for 13 postgraduate summer program research projects at UW
2014 Postdoctoral research appointment at University of Florida, USA
2014 Invited Associate Editor appointment for Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research
2013 Postdoctoral research appointment at ARC CoE for Coral Reef Studies, Australia
2013 Specialist Consultancy contract at University of Adelaide, Australia
2012 PhD research recommended for “Cum Laude” by thesis reviewer
2011 PhD Research featured in: Nature Climate Change 1: 183, doi:10.1038/nclimate1163
2011 / 2013 Invited Faculty Member –University of Washington (UW), Friday Harbour Labs, USA
2009-2014 Chair of the management committee for Bluewater Catchment Landcare Inc.
2019 Associate Editor appointment for Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
2018 New York University Research and Innovation Grant (US$ 221,000)
2018 Invited Review Editor for Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution and Frontiers in Marine Science.
2017 First-authored study recommended for excellence by the faculty of 1000: Link F1000
2017 Research Scientist appointment at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), UAE
2015 Postdoctoral research appointment at University of Texas at Austin, USA
2011-2015 Co-supervisor for 13 postgraduate summer program research projects at UW
2014 Postdoctoral research appointment at University of Florida, USA
2014 Invited Associate Editor appointment for Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research
2013 Postdoctoral research appointment at ARC CoE for Coral Reef Studies, Australia
2013 Specialist Consultancy contract at University of Adelaide, Australia
2012 PhD research recommended for “Cum Laude” by thesis reviewer
2011 PhD Research featured in: Nature Climate Change 1: 183, doi:10.1038/nclimate1163
2011 / 2013 Invited Faculty Member –University of Washington (UW), Friday Harbour Labs, USA
2009-2014 Chair of the management committee for Bluewater Catchment Landcare Inc.
AWARDS:
2017 Foreign laboratory visitor grant provided by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2016+2017 University of Texas Postdoctoral Career Development Award
2014 International Society for Behavioural Ecology Travel Award
2012 ACRS Fellowship for the 2012 International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS), Cairns, Qld
2011 John Glover Travel Award, Australian Society for Fish Biology, Melbourne, SA
2010 ACRS Travel Award, Australian Coral Reef Society, Coffs Harbour, NSW
2009 John Glover Travel award, 8th Indo Pacific Fish Conference, Freemantle, WA
2008 Lizard Island Research Fellowship Award -3 year fellowship (awarded 2008-2011)
2007 JCU Postgraduate Research Scholarship, -3 year scholarship, commenced 2007
2007 Virginia Chadwick award for Excellence in Scientific Publishing
2016+2017 University of Texas Postdoctoral Career Development Award
2014 International Society for Behavioural Ecology Travel Award
2012 ACRS Fellowship for the 2012 International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS), Cairns, Qld
2011 John Glover Travel Award, Australian Society for Fish Biology, Melbourne, SA
2010 ACRS Travel Award, Australian Coral Reef Society, Coffs Harbour, NSW
2009 John Glover Travel award, 8th Indo Pacific Fish Conference, Freemantle, WA
2008 Lizard Island Research Fellowship Award -3 year fellowship (awarded 2008-2011)
2007 JCU Postgraduate Research Scholarship, -3 year scholarship, commenced 2007
2007 Virginia Chadwick award for Excellence in Scientific Publishing
STUDENT SUPERVISION / MENTORING:
Current:
Ph.D. Mathias Soerensen, Resilience of herbivorous coral reef fishes to sediment run-off, UH Manoa, USA
M.Sc: Leon Tran, Effects of anthropogenic stress on reproductive capacity in coral reef fishes, UH Manoa, USA
Ph.D: Tiffany Nay, Research topic: Habitat preference and movement patterns of coral reef fishes, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australia
Ph.D: Alexis Khursigara, Research topic: Effect of oil pollution on estuarine and marine fishes, University of Texas, USA
Ph.D: Grace Vaughan, Research topic: Adaptation and acclimation of coral reef fishes to extreme thermal conditions in the Arabian Gulf, New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE
Completed:
M.Sc: Tiffany Nay, Research topic: Behavioural thermo-regulation by coral reef fishes, JCU, Australia
M.Sc: Adam Harbary, Research topic: Thermal preference and acclimation capacity of coral reef fishes, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
M.Sc: Conner Gervais, Research topic: Juvenile epaulette sharks, Hemiscyllium ocellatum, and predicted future ocean temperatures, James Cook University (JCU), Australia
NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates: Lauren Rowsey, Research topic: Oil exposure impacts on predator-prey dynamics in larval fishes, University of Texas, USA
Capstone Honors: Hayden Mountcastle, Research topic: Climate driven changes in diurnal activity patterns in coral reef fishes. New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE
17 M.Sc. and Ph.D. level summer program research projects at University of Washington, USA (6 weeks each)
Ph.D. Mathias Soerensen, Resilience of herbivorous coral reef fishes to sediment run-off, UH Manoa, USA
M.Sc: Leon Tran, Effects of anthropogenic stress on reproductive capacity in coral reef fishes, UH Manoa, USA
Ph.D: Tiffany Nay, Research topic: Habitat preference and movement patterns of coral reef fishes, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australia
Ph.D: Alexis Khursigara, Research topic: Effect of oil pollution on estuarine and marine fishes, University of Texas, USA
Ph.D: Grace Vaughan, Research topic: Adaptation and acclimation of coral reef fishes to extreme thermal conditions in the Arabian Gulf, New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE
Completed:
M.Sc: Tiffany Nay, Research topic: Behavioural thermo-regulation by coral reef fishes, JCU, Australia
M.Sc: Adam Harbary, Research topic: Thermal preference and acclimation capacity of coral reef fishes, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
M.Sc: Conner Gervais, Research topic: Juvenile epaulette sharks, Hemiscyllium ocellatum, and predicted future ocean temperatures, James Cook University (JCU), Australia
NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates: Lauren Rowsey, Research topic: Oil exposure impacts on predator-prey dynamics in larval fishes, University of Texas, USA
Capstone Honors: Hayden Mountcastle, Research topic: Climate driven changes in diurnal activity patterns in coral reef fishes. New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE
17 M.Sc. and Ph.D. level summer program research projects at University of Washington, USA (6 weeks each)
RESEARCH SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Physiology and Behavior:
Acclimation and adaptation in fish (Metabolic rate, Muscle function, Reproductive output)
Swimming/resting respirometry (Up-c, Ucrit, Cost-of-Transport, SMR, AMR, Aerobic Scope)
Effects of sedimentation and low O2 and high CO2 on cardiorespiratory physiology and function in fish (incl. Hypoxia, Normoxia, Hypercapnia)
External surgery and fish dissection, Anaesthesia and tagging of fishes
Behavioral preference, Microcosms, Thigmotaxis, Lateralization, Escape performance, Video tracking
Field research, monitoring, surveying:
Extensive surveys and ID of fishes and benthos on coral reefs, particularly Indo-Pacific reef fishes
Extensive live fish collection on SCUBA using barrier nets, clove oil and spears, -I have collected >5000 individuals from >130 species
Field monitoring of fish behaviour and habitat use, including habitat complexity measures
Manipulative removal/exclusion experiments, Settlement and Movement patterns
Marine Protected Area assessment (MPA), Human disturbance within MPA zones.
Fisheries:
Fisheries impact assessment, Fish growth analyses, MPA Zonation impact on fish behavior
Tracking, Husbandry:
Remote tracking telemetry, Video tracking and analysis of behavior and movement,
Accelerometry (activity, energy budgets)
Fish husbandry, Larval rearing, Thermal acclimation, Aquaculture
Engineering and Biological-Physical coupling:
Development and design of autonomous water flow meters for in situ field measures
Developed and constructed several flow chambers, swimming and resting respirometer chambers
In-situ sensor deployment and data extraction, Data-base analysis, Data mining.
Boating:
>280 days of sea-time logged as Ship Master in 4 - 8 m boats within 50nm of coast
Planned upgrade to a commercial AMSA Coxswain certificate
Diving:
>2000 research and >2000 work/fun dives conducted in 20 different countries to date
Current certification: PADI Divemaster, **CMAS Diver, AS2299 Medical, CPR, O2, Nitrox
Acclimation and adaptation in fish (Metabolic rate, Muscle function, Reproductive output)
Swimming/resting respirometry (Up-c, Ucrit, Cost-of-Transport, SMR, AMR, Aerobic Scope)
Effects of sedimentation and low O2 and high CO2 on cardiorespiratory physiology and function in fish (incl. Hypoxia, Normoxia, Hypercapnia)
External surgery and fish dissection, Anaesthesia and tagging of fishes
Behavioral preference, Microcosms, Thigmotaxis, Lateralization, Escape performance, Video tracking
Field research, monitoring, surveying:
Extensive surveys and ID of fishes and benthos on coral reefs, particularly Indo-Pacific reef fishes
Extensive live fish collection on SCUBA using barrier nets, clove oil and spears, -I have collected >5000 individuals from >130 species
Field monitoring of fish behaviour and habitat use, including habitat complexity measures
Manipulative removal/exclusion experiments, Settlement and Movement patterns
Marine Protected Area assessment (MPA), Human disturbance within MPA zones.
Fisheries:
Fisheries impact assessment, Fish growth analyses, MPA Zonation impact on fish behavior
Tracking, Husbandry:
Remote tracking telemetry, Video tracking and analysis of behavior and movement,
Accelerometry (activity, energy budgets)
Fish husbandry, Larval rearing, Thermal acclimation, Aquaculture
Engineering and Biological-Physical coupling:
Development and design of autonomous water flow meters for in situ field measures
Developed and constructed several flow chambers, swimming and resting respirometer chambers
In-situ sensor deployment and data extraction, Data-base analysis, Data mining.
Boating:
>280 days of sea-time logged as Ship Master in 4 - 8 m boats within 50nm of coast
Planned upgrade to a commercial AMSA Coxswain certificate
Diving:
>2000 research and >2000 work/fun dives conducted in 20 different countries to date
Current certification: PADI Divemaster, **CMAS Diver, AS2299 Medical, CPR, O2, Nitrox
INVITED TALKS AND CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:
2019 The hidden fishes: Cryptobenthis fish compositions in thermally extreme coral reefs. Arabian Coral Reef Conference, UAE
2018 Tolerate or relocate? Understanding water quality thresholds in coral reef fishes. New York University Departmental Seminar, UAE
2017 Effect of oil pollution on heart and skeletal muscle function in tropical marine fishes. Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science Meeting (RECOVER), Dallas, TX, USA
2017 Recovery of oil exposure on the cardiorespiratory performance of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). SICB conference, New Orleans, LA, USA
2016 Large predatory species unlikely to meet increasing energetic demands in a warming ocean, International Coral Reef Symposium, Hawaii, USA
2016 Acute and long term effects of oil exposure on the cardiorespiratory performance of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science Conference, Tampa, FL, USA
2016 Energetic implications for habitat and prey selection in drift-feeding fishes, SICB conference, Portland, OR, USA
2015 Effect of sediment loading on distribution and abundance of coral reef fishes, -Invited speaker: Florida International University (Feb) + East Tennessee State University (March), USA
2014 Towards non-visual detection of detailed fish swimming kinematics and behaviour in turbid coastal ecosystems. Florida FISH meeting, Florida Atlantic University, USA
2014 Resilience of coral reef fisheries to global warming, ISBE 2014 conference, New York, USA
2013 Coral reef fish ecology and resilience to anthropogenic disturbance, -Invited speaker: University of Copenhagen postgraduate research course in “Fish respiratory physiology”, Denmark
2012 Thermal effects on metabolism, swimming ability and distribution of coral reef fishes, -Invited speaker: James Cook University BSc Advanced Program, Australia
2012 The effect of temperature on the physiology and ecology of coral reef fishes, ICRS 2012, AU.
2011 Sensitivity to sediment induced turbidity, -Guest speaker: University of Washington, USA.
2010 Global Warming reduces physiological resilience in coral reef fish, ACRS conference, AU
2010 Physiological effects of Global Warming on coral reef fishes, ASFB conference AU
2010 Physiological drivers of fish behaviour, -Guest speaker: JCU Animal Behaviour Course, AU
2018 Tolerate or relocate? Understanding water quality thresholds in coral reef fishes. New York University Departmental Seminar, UAE
2017 Effect of oil pollution on heart and skeletal muscle function in tropical marine fishes. Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science Meeting (RECOVER), Dallas, TX, USA
2017 Recovery of oil exposure on the cardiorespiratory performance of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). SICB conference, New Orleans, LA, USA
2016 Large predatory species unlikely to meet increasing energetic demands in a warming ocean, International Coral Reef Symposium, Hawaii, USA
2016 Acute and long term effects of oil exposure on the cardiorespiratory performance of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science Conference, Tampa, FL, USA
2016 Energetic implications for habitat and prey selection in drift-feeding fishes, SICB conference, Portland, OR, USA
2015 Effect of sediment loading on distribution and abundance of coral reef fishes, -Invited speaker: Florida International University (Feb) + East Tennessee State University (March), USA
2014 Towards non-visual detection of detailed fish swimming kinematics and behaviour in turbid coastal ecosystems. Florida FISH meeting, Florida Atlantic University, USA
2014 Resilience of coral reef fisheries to global warming, ISBE 2014 conference, New York, USA
2013 Coral reef fish ecology and resilience to anthropogenic disturbance, -Invited speaker: University of Copenhagen postgraduate research course in “Fish respiratory physiology”, Denmark
2012 Thermal effects on metabolism, swimming ability and distribution of coral reef fishes, -Invited speaker: James Cook University BSc Advanced Program, Australia
2012 The effect of temperature on the physiology and ecology of coral reef fishes, ICRS 2012, AU.
2011 Sensitivity to sediment induced turbidity, -Guest speaker: University of Washington, USA.
2010 Global Warming reduces physiological resilience in coral reef fish, ACRS conference, AU
2010 Physiological effects of Global Warming on coral reef fishes, ASFB conference AU
2010 Physiological drivers of fish behaviour, -Guest speaker: JCU Animal Behaviour Course, AU
SOLICITED REVIEWS:
Global Change Biology
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Coral Reefs
Aquatic Toxicology
Conservation Physiology
Journal of Fish Biology
Marine Biology
Marine Ecology Progress Series
Journal of Sea Research
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Behavioural Ecology and Socio-biology
Plos One
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C
Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
Functional Ecology
Marine and Freshwater Research
Oecologia
Frontiers in Marine Science
Ecological Engineering
Biotechnology Research and Innovation
Ecosphere
Environmental Biology of Fishes
ICES Journal of Marine Science
Journal of Thermal Biology
Science of the Total Environment
Symbiosis
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Coral Reefs
Aquatic Toxicology
Conservation Physiology
Journal of Fish Biology
Marine Biology
Marine Ecology Progress Series
Journal of Sea Research
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Behavioural Ecology and Socio-biology
Plos One
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C
Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
Functional Ecology
Marine and Freshwater Research
Oecologia
Frontiers in Marine Science
Ecological Engineering
Biotechnology Research and Innovation
Ecosphere
Environmental Biology of Fishes
ICES Journal of Marine Science
Journal of Thermal Biology
Science of the Total Environment
Symbiosis