I have studied life history of freshwater and estuarine goby. Goby is a highly diverse fish taxon and their life history is also very diverse. The fish I hold in the photograph is one of the biggest goby species in Okinawa, and the smallest species matures at 1 cm. Most of these species migrate between streams and the sea and could be transported to other streams and/or islands during the marine pelagic larval phase. Such “migration” and “larval dispersal” are foci of my research. I am working at OIST with gobies from 2008, but the goby work is endless. I hope to dig into their life history strategies more at this unit. (Researchmap: LINK)

I am a marine conservation ecologist interested in the importance of young developmental stages (larvae and juveniles) in fish population maintenance. My postdotorate at OIST will aim at understanding the relationship between pigmentation, a striking aspect of metamorphosis and highly plastic trait in fish, and environmental factors. I love the ocean and spending my time in water, which makes my work a real passion. I also enjoy travelling, good food, yoga and all outdoor activities.

I spent my childhood in New Zealand, where I developed a fascination for the natural world and marine life. Upon completing both my BSc and MSc at the University of Auckland, I moved to Australia to undertake my PhD in the Visual Ecology Lab at the University of Queensland. My PhD used anemonefishes as a model for studying reef fish colour vision and visual communication. For my postdoc at OIST, I am investigating the ultimate and proximate drivers of colour pattern diversity in anemonefishes. Most of my work is aquarium and laboratory based, and employs a multi-technical approach to study variation in the white bar pattern of anemonefishes. I enjoy playing guitar, board games, and computer games.

I am from Osaka. Discovering the surprising ecology of marine animals is my enthusiasm for science. Since my undergraduate years at Hiroshima University, I have studied the behavioral ecology of coral reef fishes in Okinawa. I am a fieldworker and marine behavioral ecologist. In this lab, I study the bluestreak cleaner wrasse and its mimic, the false cleanerfish (Aspidontus taeniatus). Using an integrative approach combining behavioral ecology, genomics, and histology, I investigate the mechanisms and evolution of one of the most elaborate mimicry systems. When I am not at my desk, I swim around Sesoko Island or kayak in Nago Bay.

Hi! I completed my PhD at Newcastle University in the UK, where I looked at the impacts of marine heatwaves on response plasticity of anemonefish. During this time, I studied wild populations of A. percula in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. As part of my fellowship here at OIST, I am expanding the PhD research to understand the mechanisms that underly bidirectional growth plasticity (i.e. growth and shrinking). At the OIST marine science station, I am using the Marine Heatwave Simulator to determine how heat stress, food restriction, and social status influence growth of A. ocellaris. On the side, I also work with graduates from the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Papua New Guinea, where we conduct market surveys to investigate regional fishing practises, fish population stability, and to promote marine conservation strategies. I’ve also launched a fundraising initiative to help expand our markets surveys across the New Britain province. https://gofund.me/41972cd13

After obtaining my masters in coastal and marine biology and ecology from the University of Salento in Italy, I came to this beautiful island to get my PhD. In this unit I’m studying phenotypic plasticity in anemonefish pigmentation, mainly focusing on Amphiprion clarkii, the most abundant (and most beautiful) anemonefish species around Okinawa-jima. I will use a combination of genetic, ecological and physiological approaches to understand the mechanisms behind the pigmentation polymorphisms. In my free time I love spending my time in the sea or hiking in the forests and exploring new places.

My research interests revolve around the impacts of humans on marine environments. I have an undergraduate degree in geosciences from the University of Edinburgh and a master’s degree in ecology and evolution from ENS in Paris. As part of my previous studies, I studied the hydrogeology of Niijima in Tokyo Prefecture with the University of Tokyo, looked at marine protected area assessment in New Caledonia, and worked on coastal changes and fish population in French Polynesia… I love doing fieldwork in warm water and beautiful places! For my PhD, I will investigate the impacts of human presence and pollution on fish development during early life stages in temperate to tropical settings. In my free time, I am looking forward to joining a few student associations, playing music, baking cakes, and exploring Okinawa on land and underwater!

I majored in Marine and Environmental Science and completed my PhD at the University of the Ryukyus. I was fascinated by the cute appearance of anemonefish and interested in the diversity of life history strategies of anemonefish. Starting with my love for anemonefish, I was fortunate to pursue physiological research on anemonefish Amphiprion clarkii for six years. And then, most of all, I would be more than happy because I can be involved in research on clownfish as a Lab manager at this unit. Personally, I love the sea, and good food from around the world. I also enjoy cooking, camping, and traveling.

I completed my PhD at the Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, where I mainly worked on the ecophysiology and taxonomy of hermatypic corals. I was born and raised in Brazil, and although I come from the countryside, far away from the ocean, I have always felt a strong connection to the wonders of the sea. Now, I cannot stay away from it. Here in Okinawa, I will be dedicating myself to the exciting world of fishes and I am looking forward to exploring the wonders of the Ryukyu Islands!

I am from Glasgow, Scotland where I did an undergraduate degree in marine and freshwater biology. I then went to Plymouth in the southwest of the UK for an MRes in applied marine sciences. This helped me realise I will never ever be a physicist, and much preferred the idea of subtropical temperatures to swimming in the (near) freezing UK sea. So I have come to Okinawa to get a PhD in marine ecology - I will be studying pigmentation-based recognition in anemonefish, particularly carrying out behavioural experiments using mutant anemonefish with unusual colour patterns.

I am from the United States, where I studied the effects of coral bleaching at Berry College.  In the Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, I use molecular techniques to examine how the unique symbiosis between giant sea anemones, anemonefish, and algae operates.  I hope to further our understanding of how each of these members are intrinsically linked and what drives these relationships.  While not in the lab, you can easily find me snorkeling or diving around Okinawa (or at the nearest conbini).

I come from Taiwan where I obtainwd my bachelor and master degree. My master life focused on linkage of genotype and phenotype of chicke traits, and then I devoted into goldfish dorsal finless reaearch in Academia Sinica, Taiwan. My research interest is evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), especially in fish. In my PhD study, I am focusing on the color pattern of the ornamental anemone fish. The relationship and cell-cell communication of three pigment cells, melanophore, xanthophore, and iridophore, in clownfish skin is a interesting question for me. I would also like to enjoy the nature and culture in Okinawa in these years.

I’m from Macau, but my research journey began in Taiwan, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in Aquaculture and my master’s degree in Biological Oceanography. I used to be purely a fish systematist, with a particular interest in deep-reef fishes, especially Anthiadidae (ハナダイ, my favourite!). Since starting my PhD at OIST in MEEDU, I’ve been expanding my research direction into evo-devo, physiology, and bioinformatics. But, I haven’t given up on fish systematics.

Moving to OIST also made my dream of living in Okinawa come true. I really enjoy life here! I sometimes go snorkeling, fishing, driving around the island, checking out fishes at fishing ports, or exploring other islands in the Ryukyus.

Hi! I received my bachelor’s degree from the School of Agricultural Sciences at Nagoya University, where I studied reproductive endocrinology. However, I have always been fascinated by evolution and ecology, so I decided to take the plunge and switch fields for graduate school. I’m very excited to carry out my PhD research on these intriguing creatures, anemonefish. Our unit keeps many different species of anemonefish, as well as some unusual mutants, so I always enjoy watching the fish in the fish room.

I’m very optimistic about life, enjoy traveling, watching movies, reading, singing, writing calligraphy, hiking and also exploring new places and meeting new people.I am a research assistant at Marine Station in Academia Sinica of Taiwan and my research interests are extensive. Although I am a novice in this field working on clownfish, I am looking forward to it. It’s great to be a member of the group.

During my master’s studies, I focused on breeding and larval rearing of aquatic organisms, including microalgae, crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins, marine fishes, and cephalopods. Through research work on selective breeding and early life stages, I developed a strong interest in larval development, metamorphosis, and genetics in marine organisms. I hope to contribute my aquaculture experience to the team while learning new experimental approaches and research perspectives.