Johansen-Lab

Lab PI: Ass. Research Professor
Jacob L Johansen

With a background in eco-physiology and behavioral ecology, research in the Johansen Lab focuses on how tropical coral reef organisms react and adapt to natural and human-induced environmental stress. Core strengths in research and student training include coral reef ecology, environmental stress responses, physiological tolerance, movement patterns and behavioral ecology of fishes. Lab research has a strong focus on species habitat selection, range-shift, habitat invasions, and the capacity of species to mitigate ongoing stressors. We use a combination of field and state-of-the-art laboratory techniques to quantify impacts of disturbances on ecosystem health and resilience, and provide practical solutions to policymakers, communities and industries.

LAB NEWS:
Jacob Johansen has recently moved to University Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) as an Assistant Research Professor. The Johansen lab is stationed on the beautiful Coconut Island (http://www.himb.hawaii.edu) and lab research is dedicated to understanding how endemic and invasive coral reef fishes react and adapt to natural and anthropogenic environmental stressors. A primary focus of research is the consequences of catchment run-off (sedimentation, turbidity, industrial effluent) and rising ocean temperatures on near-shore reef fishes, utilizing the state of the art facilities at HIMB as well as the amazing coral reefs at our doorstep and throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago.


FUNDING NEWS:
The coral reefs of the Arabian Gulf are exposed to the most extreme temperatures of any coral reef ecosystem on Earth, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 36C (97F) and winter temperatures plummeting below 16C (61F). One of the big mysteries of these coral reefs is the fact that many reef fish species seem to disappear from visual censuses during seasonal extremes. Prevailing theory suggests that reef fishes may be migrating away from the reefs to deeper, cooler water to survive. Alternatively, they may become dormant within the reef matrix, only to emerge again once conditions improve. Over the next couple of years (2019-2021) we are putting this question to the test, after successfully securing a highly competitive UAE Research and Innovation Grant. Using the Arabian Gulf reefs as a natural laboratory for how many other coral reefs around the globe will fare under climate change and ocean warming, the outcome of this study will be informative to fisheries and environmental managers alike.

The Johansen Lab is also presently working closely with Professors John Burt and Holly Shiels via New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE, to spearhead coral reef research in the Arabian Gulf. The primary research focus in UAE is to investigate ecological and physiological trade-offs (costs and consequences) associated with survival under the extreme conditions of the Arabian Gulf (the warmest coral reef on Earth).


STUDENT AND POSTDOC OPPORTUNITIES:
PostDoc openings:
We are currently looking for post-doctoral applicants with expertise and interests in examining behavioral and eco-physiological responses of coral reef organisms to the major anthropogenic stressors currently facing coral reef ecosystems in Hawaii and globally (e.g. terrigenous run-off, pollutants, ocean warming). If you believe this opportunity might be suitable for you, please get in contact. There are a number of postdoctoral funding opportunities available for US and international applicants to work in our lab for up to 3 years (e.g. NSF postdoctoral fellowships, European Marie-Curie, EMBO, Fulbright etc), and we will be happy to work closely with you to prepare the proposal.

PhD opportunities:
We are presently accepting PhD applications for students interested in applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (https://www.nsfgrfp.org/) to join exciting research opportunities with the Johansen Lab at HIMB. Please feel free to present yourself and your research interests via email. If there is strong synergy, we will gladly work with you on the proposal. Next deadline is October 2019. Get in touch ASAP if you believe this may be suited to you.

Please keep an eye on this webpage for additional exciting upcoming opportunities in our lab.