Members

I am working on Theoretical ecology, Community ecology, Spatial scaling patterns of biodiversity, especially the changing of community biodiversity pattern under global changes (heterogeneous disturbance, habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, biological invasion etc.). I am interested in exploring new idea and methods for the issues under the community ecology framework. It is also best to pursue my interest by embracing a theoretical and empirical compared way.

I am an environmental and resource economist specializing in fisheries resource management and fisheries economics. My research focuses on understanding how harvesters adapt their behavior in response to species range shifts driven by climate change. Specifically, I explore how fishers respond to evolving fishing opportunities, the implications of these responses for biological fish stocks, and the development of adaptive management strategies. To address these questions, I utilize game-theoretical models, socio-economic surveys, and observational data.

I hold a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Sun Yat-sen University in China, a master's degree in international environmental science from Lund University in Sweden and earned my PhD from the Norwegian School of Economics in 2012. Over the past decade, I have worked as a research fellow across several countries in Asia and Europe. After many years abroad, I am delighted to return to my "home region," the East China Sea region, to continue my fishery work.

I research the marine fishery system. I am interested in the integrative quantitative assessment of the fishery system. My work in OIST is to evaluate stakeholder satisfaction in fisheries through bio-socio-economic models. In the model, I will define utilities in the biological and socio-economic models for multiple stakeholder groups and evaluate different management options regarding the resulting stakeholder utilities. Before I came to OIST, my research focused on the socio-economic dimension of the fishery, such as the socio-economic status and occupational mobility of the fishers, text analysis of the fishery policy, and the well-being of the fishery communities. Now, I am trying to combine the biological and socio-economic dimensions in fishery research.

I graduated from the University of Tokyo with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and　from Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, with a master’s degree in biology. My specialty is sustainability science, particularly ocean governance, with a consideration of local communities’ values toward nature. Before joining OIST, I was a project assistant for SeaBOS (Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship), a global initiative between scientists and the world’s largest seafood companies to transform the seafood industry into just and sustainable.

Since joining the CSE unit, I’ve been involved in two projects: the Okinawa fishers’ wellbeing project and the Bio-Socioeconomic Models project. My main tasks have been survey data analysis using factor analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), and Bayesian network analysis. 

 I am interested in applying advanced machine learning and mathematical modeling to understand complex, data-driven systems. I hold dual bachelor's degrees in Economics and Applied Mathematics & Computer Science. My background combines computational social science research — using Natural Language Processing (NLP) for cybersecurity and hate speech analysis — with professional experience as a Data Scientist building Generative AI (GenAI, MLOps) and machine learning solutions. At OIST, I am continuing this focus on social systems by working on the 'Fear-Shame-Guilt' model. My research explores how social sentiments such as fear, shame, and guilt regulate selfish behavior and promote cooperation.

I began my journey in physics at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, where I developed a strong interest in statistical mechanics and computational modeling. I continued my studies at Sharif University of Technology, focusing on data-driven tools and approaches to study complex systems, one our main tools being stochastic differential equations. I am now a Research Intern in the Complexity Science and Evolution Unit at OIST, working on linear Moran fitness waves, with a particular focus on understanding the coupled stochastic oscillations in skewness and variance in evolving trait distributions.

Aleksandra is a master’s graduate in data analysis with a strong passion for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and ecological modelling. She is particularly interested in applying advanced data-driven techniques to understand complex environmental systems. Through her academic and practical experience, Aleksandra aims to bridge the gap between data science and ecology to contribute to sustainable solutions and innovative research in the field.

Driven by curiosity and impact, I’m passionate about applying data science and graph-based AI to build interpretable, scalable solutions in bio science, finance and strategy.

Alex is a PhD candidate at the University of St Andrews, specialising in multisensory interactions and their behavioural benefits, employing EEG and computational modeling techniques. Currently, as a visiting research student at the CSE Unit, he is supporting research on enhancing the realism of game-theoretical models of corruption by considering the possibility of covert corruption.

PhD student at OIST, currently rotating in the Dieckmann Unit. I got my B.Sc. in Physics from Sharif University of Technology, where I found myself into complex systems; ranging from time series in crypto-fiat interactions to adaptive dynamics in seasonal epidemiology. These days I'm focused on evolutionary processes in ecological systems, especially host–pathogen dynamics in environments that refuse to stay still. I've been happily part of OIST since 2022, moving through internship, visiting roles, and now full-time research-mostly on simulation-heavy, system-level projects. Programming and simulation aren't just tools for me. They're how I build worlds, poke at them, and see what breaks (or evolves). I live for that moment when a messy system starts behaving, and you realize you've captured something real-just with code.

Maya is a biologist from Japan and the United States. She earned her bachelor's degree from Macalester College, where she studied land use impacts on freshwater mussels. Her primary research interests are in species interactions, invasibility and resilience, and landscape level patterns in ecosystems. In her free time, Maya can usually be found somewhere outdoors or on the search for the best noodles on the island.