Lab PI: Dr Jacob L Johansen

Dr. Jeroen Brijs, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Leon Tran, M.Sc. student

Lab PI:

Ass. Research Professor Jacob L Johansen
Lab location: Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA
Expertise: Originally from Northern Europe (Denmark) Jacob spent the past 20 years working all over the globe from Australia, South America, Middle East, Europe, Austral-Asia to USA. With a strong background in eco-physiology and behavioral ecology, Jacob's research 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. Research topics include species habitat selection, range-shift, habitat invasions, and the capacity of fishes to mitigate ongoing stressors using 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.

Laboratory Manager:
Current lab manager: TBD

Previous lab managers:
Mathias Soerensen, 2019-2020.
Leon Tran, 2020-2020

Current Postdoctoral Research Fellows:

Dr. Jeroen Brijs 
Research topic: The effects of environmental heat waves on feeding behavior and energetics of coral reef fishes
Location: HIMB, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Biography: I have a broad-ranging interest in comparative ecophysiology with a particular focus on the effects of environmental and/or anthropogenic stressors on behavioral and physiological processes in fish, and how this impacts their survival, performance and welfare. Here, in Hawaii, I am especially interested in how environmental heat waves impact the behavior and physiology of both herbivorous and piscivorous coral reef fishes when feeding, which of course, is a process that is crucial for survival. This research will provide crucial information on how coral reef fish communities will fare in response to these drastic environmental events that are already happening today, and are unfortunately predicted to become more frequent and intense in the future.
Professional links: ResearchGate 

​​Current graduate students:

M.Sc: Leon Tran (NSF GRFP fellow)
Research topic: Consequences of environmental stress on fish reproduction
Location: HIMB, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Biography: I am broadly interested in the effects of climate change on the physiological performance of marine fishes. Specifically, I am interested in how thermal and oxygen stress may impact the reproductive performance of economically important fish species. I hope to apply my research to inform adaptive fisheries management under future climate change. I am also interested in exploring the role of adaptive fisheries management in preserving important bio-cultural resources.

​Ph.D: Mathias Soerensen
Research topic: Resilience of coral reef fishes to terrigenous run-off
Location: HIMB, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Biography: Mathias recently finished his M.Sc. in marine science from Hawaii Pacific University where he researched "Swimming modes and morphological attribute of coral reef fishes".


Current mentoring / co-supervision:

Ph.D: Alexis Khursigara 
Research topic: Effect of oil pollution on estuarine and marine fishes
Location: University of Texas at Austin, USA

Ph.D: Grace Vaughan 
Research topic: Adaptation and acclimation of coral reef fishes to extreme thermal conditions in the Arabian Gulf
Location: New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE

Past members / completed:
​Ph.D: Tiffany Nay
Research topic: Habitat preference and movement patterns of coral reef fishes
Location: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australia

​M.Sc: Tiffany Nay
Research topic: Behavioural thermo-regulation by coral reef fishes
Location: James Cook University, Australia

M.Sc: Adam Harbary 
Research topic: Thermal preference and acclimation capacity of coral reef fishes
Location: University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Present position: Research technician at Lion Pharmaceuticals , Denmark

M.Sc: Conner Gervais
Research topic: Juvenile epaulette sharks, Hemiscyllium ocellatum, and predicted future ocean temperatures
Location: James Cook University, Australia
Present position: Ph.D. student at Macquarie University, Australia

NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates: Lauren Rowsey
Research topic: Oil exposure impacts on predator-prey dynamics in larval fishes
Location: University of Texas at Austin, USA
Present position: Ph.D. student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada