The structure and resilience of species interaction networks.
I use a combination of experimental and quantitative approaches to study the processes that shape natural communities. My research explores the adaptability and response of ecological networks to global climatic shifts, using empirical data to test and develop theoretical predictions about the role of diverse species interactions in promoting ecological stability. I aim to leverage my research and local knowledge to develop more resilient oceans, and am particularly focused on the impacts of environmental and anthropogenic disturbances on marine ecosystems. I am committed to community-oriented, solutions-driven research that is mutually beneficial to both my local partners and broader ecological theory.
Submarine groundwater discharge on coral reefs
Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is a widespread phenomenon of nearshore coral reefs and an important freshwater source for island societies. SGD is associated with unique shifts in temperature, salinity, and carbonate chemistry, yet there is little information on its role in reef dynamics and ecosystem functioning.
How do extreme climate events influence food web structure?
El Niño climate events can dramatically alter resource availability to the marine food web. My PhD uses temporal and spatial variation in the Galapagos Islands to study how these oceanographic changes affect dietary niche breadth and trophic organization.