Faculty Mentors

Throughout the Pacific, from the beaches to the ocean floor, you can find a variety of marine invertebrates. To learn how these animals find a place to live and the mechanisms by which new species are invading these habitats contact Dave Carlon, Michael Hadfield, Cindy Hunter and Rob Toonen.

What are the processes that influence dispersal and recruitment in coastal marine invertebrates? Michael Hadfield's lab studies larval settlement and recruitment. Robert Toonen is studying the evolutionary consequences of larval development in Hawaiian coral reef species.

Celia Smith works on native and invasive algae of the coral reefs. Alison Sherwood studies diversity, phylogeography, systematics, evolution and ecology of the marine, freshwater and terrestrial algae floras of the Hawaiian islands. Researchers in Florence Thomas' lab are interested in how benthic organisms modify their environment and affect nutrient dynamics in shallow coastal systems.

Do you love working outdoors? Gail Grabowsky is interested in a variety of topics related to marine and terrestrial ecology and conservation.

Are you are interested in discovering new species and conserving nature through providing fundamental information on the diversity of life?

There is an amazing diversity of terrestrial and arboreal snails on the different islands. To understand their evolution and extinction, contact Michael Hadfield or Brenden Holland.

Researchers in Dave Carlon's and Rob Toonen's labs use molecular approaches to study diversity and population biology of Hawaiian marine animals.

Alison Sherwood is interested in understanding the diversity of algae species that occupy the streams and taro fields of Hawaii.

Find out what is being done for snails by contacting Michael Hadfield or Brenden Holland, and for corals by contacting Cindy Hunter.

Have you ever watched a mystery or detective show trying to figure out who the killer was? Robert Richmond and his colleagues are developing techniques for figuring out if and which pollutants may be responsible for coral reef decline through the use of molecular biomarkers. Julie Brock studies sediment dwelling invertebrates near sewage outfalls and harbors.

The Hawaiian honeycreepers are a spectacular radiation of birds descended from a finch-like ancestor. Some have finch-like bills adapted to feeding on seeds. Others have pointed or curved bills for feeding on nectar and insects. To find out more about the behavior of these fascinating and beautiful animals, contact Leonard Freed. Recent work has focused on methods to protect and mitigate disease that threatens the birds, such research being conducted by Rebecca Cann.

The coral reef fishes are colorful and diverse, and Tim Tricas and his students study their behavior and ecology.