Members

TED profile

Wikipedia page

Twitter

I am an evolutionary biologist, with a focus on coral reef fishes. My research interests are on the integration of phylogenetics, assemblage patterns, morphological and ecological trait variation, and biomechanical potential of coral reef fish feeding modes to examine the evolutionary drivers of current species’ distributions and community compositions. I completed a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies from Wesleyan University and a PhD with the Committee of Evolutionary Biology (CEB) at the University of Chicago. The overarching goal of my PhD thesis was to explore the phylogenetics, evolution, and biogeography of the goatfishes (Family Mullidae), with a focus on their unique foraging behavior associated with substrate preferences and barbel use. To accomplish this, I inferred a comprehensive phylogeny using phylogenomics, examined global assemblage patterns using occurrence data, and assessed ecomorphological relationships between body and fin morphology with habitat use across the goatfishes. In my postdoctoral position in the Marine Macroevolution Unit at OIST, I plan to expand my research into the examination of population connectivity of diverse species, i.e. representatives of clades with variable modes of dispersal and life history traits, across the Ryukyus. In particular, I aim to test hypotheses about the morphological and life history traits associated with home range size, dispersal, habitat use, and population connectivity. The goal of this work is to identify informative traits that can be used to better predict dispersal potential across extant and fossil lineages. In my free time, I enjoy fish watching, cuddling with cats, and finding new cafes to try.

I am a paleontologist and evolutionary biologist, focusing on locomotory biomechanics. I am primarily interested in associations between form and function, particularly the recurrent evolution of specific morphologies in distantly related taxa. During my PhD at the University of Manchester, I investigated the locomotory biomechanics underlying the land-water transition in ancient whales. This included volumetric reconstruction, muscle moment arm analyses and hydrodynamic simulations of a variety of legged whales spanning the aquatic transition. Results were compared with other secondarily aquatic mammal groups - primarily mustelids and rodents - to evaluate the extent to which these separate transitions were convergent. Prior to that, as an MSc student at the University of Bristol I researched the most likely feeding strategy for the giant placoderm Titanichthys using finite element analysis. As a Postdoctoral Scholar at OIST, I plan to research the swimming hydrodynamics of fish. Using computational fluid dynamics and flume tank experiments, I am aiming to evaluate the hydrodynamic function of unique physical structures from the fish fossil record, which may then be investigated for potential biomimetic purposes. Away from work, I am passionate about diving, hiking, football and cinema.

As a theoretical evolutionary biologist, I am broadly interested in the evolution of complex traits and seek to understand the origin of phenotypic diversity among organisms using quantitative approaches. I did my PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) at the University of Michigan, during which time I leveraged large-scale genomic and phenomic data to test the role of adaptive and non-adaptive processes in the evolution of various types of phenotypic traits, ranging from gene expression to morphological characteristics. After finishing my PhD in 2022, I conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Southern California and started to work more on theoretical models. At OIST, I am continuing and extending this line of research, focusing specifically on the evolution of developmental processes underlying evolutionary novelties.

In my spare time, I am into anime, kaiju, and gunpla.

At university I worked on the wounding mechanisms of giant unicellular green algae. However, the unique appearance and diversity of the jawless fish that inhabited the Silurian to Devonian periods attracted me, then I am studying as a lab rotation student in this unit. How did the jawless fish that established kingdoms at that time feed? Did they compete with jawed fish? How did feeding traits influence the evolution of fish? I am excited by the possibilities in this field, including research using big data acquired from fossils and 3D models. I used to live on another small island in Japan so I love life in Okinawa. On weekends, I enjoy skin diving, watching baseball games and exploring izakaya!

I am from Vancouver Island, Canada, and I recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in marine biology and oceanography from the University of Victoria. I worked extensively with Pacific salmon, studying the impacts of aquaculture, particularly the spread of diseases and parasites. My research also focused on intertidal relationships in kelp ecosystems and the effects of rising ocean temperatures on the metabolism and reproduction of purple sea urchins. I’m excited to explore the other side of the Pacific, learn about coral reef ecosystems, and acquire new skills at OIST! In my free time, I love to surf, rock climb, and go on adventures outdoors!

I am from Cambridge Massachusetts and am completing my MS in Marine Science at Northeastern University through the Three Seas Program. I completed my BS in Biology at Brown University and worked with video data to analyze predator presence, and the feeding patterns, abundances, and cleaning interactions of reef fish in the Galápagos Islands. In my master's program I have been able to do scientific diving in Nahant Massachusetts, Bocas Del Toro Panamá, and Friday Harbor Washington. I am interested in studying mesophotic reef ecology, and I am passionate about field research, scientific diving, and snorkeling. I am eager to expand and learn new lab skills at OIST and explore Okinawa! When not at work I like diving, making pottery, dancing, and playing card games. 

I just graduated with a MS in Marine Biology and a minor in Education, Learning, and Society from the University of Washington. I am interested in many different things from invertebrate ecology to social intelligence of orcas. My research has been focused on biodiversity surveys as well as effects of outdoors education on children’s stewardship. I look forward to learning new skills and gaining new experiences at OIST! In my free time, I like to play piano, hike, and take pictures of my dog.

I am originally from Osaka. My duties are to provide administrative support to enable the unit to function smoothly and effectively. I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to work closely with marine science as an RUA and contribute to developing the Okinawan economy as a part of the OIST community. I love diving, traveling, the ocean, and of course, Okinawa! I especially love to watch the school of fish, then stealthily join them. My other favorites are cats, plants, and collecting the straw baskets.