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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.

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 recently finished my master’s at the University of Auckland with a focus in species distribution modelling Oceanic manta rays and Spinetail devil rays, with a particular interest in the intersection between technology and conservation!! My fascination with these creatures started with a terrible sun burn - it was my first time on a boat and with blistered skin I hopped into the big blue and there was a huge Oceanic manta ray swimming past - and then I was hooked! Outside of manta watching I love diving, tennis, crocheting and eating good food. I am so excited to learn new skills and gain new experiences as a research intern at OIST!

I was born in Okinawa and grew up here! At the University of Ryukyus, I majored in marine biology and especially studied brown macroalgae such as Cladosiphon Okamuranus(Okinawa Mozuku). In my thesis research, I was analyzing differential gene expression of Okinawa Mozuku which grow up in different nurseries by using RNA sequence method. So, I'm familiar with using command line, python to analyze gene expression. Paleobiology is a different field to it which I majored in, but I'm really interested in this field. I am especially interested in convergent evolution which we can see in the relationship between Ichthyosaurs and toothed whales. So, I want to learn new methods such as CAT scans of fossil teeth and to explore what they eat and how they move.

I am a third year ecology & evolutionary biology student also majoring in evolutionary anthropology at the University of Toronto. I have worked primarily with North American Centrarchid fish, studying their responses to chemical cues and investigating the impacts of human activity on their behaviour. I have a deep appreciation for fossils and organisms from the past, and hope to learn a lot more about evolutionary processes and the fascinating evolution of fish over the course of my internship! In my free time I love being out in nature, drawing, playing violin and doing kendo.

I am from Dallas, Texas and I am a third year student in marine science at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. I have made and analyzed 3D models of Hawaiian coral reefs generated from Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry. In my undergraduate studies I have investigated the relationship between reef fish assemblages and coral morphology throughout various projects. I am looking forward to exploring more about reef fish diversity and ecological speciation. In my free time I enjoy listening to music, cooking, thrifting/antiquing, and watching new shows!

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.