USING PHYSIOLOGY TO EXPLAIN ECOLOGICAL PATTERNS OF MARINE ORGANISMS ACROSS ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNALS
video: Mike Skeeles
About me
Associate Professor
University of Seychelles
Dept. of Environment & Blue Economy Research Institute
Marine Science I Ecophysiology I Conservation
I am a scientist using physiology to understand how environmental conditions drive ecological patterns of marine organisms. I earned my PhD at the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University under the supervision prof. Warren Potts in the SAFER lab, Dr Nikki James and Dr Amanda Bates in the Physiological Diversity Lab at Southampton University. I subsequently did a postdoc in the SAFER lab but through the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (who also supported my MSc and PhD), where I lectured, supervised graduate students and coordinated multiple research projects across southern Africa. I then did another postdoc at Stanford University, working in Prof. Erik Sperling's Historical Geobiology Lab and Prof. Fio Micheli's lab at Hopkins Marine Station. I am currently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Environment and Blue Economy Research Institute at the University of Seychelles.
photo: Brett Pringle
RESEARCH
Ocean change is already disrupting local productivity and persistence of marine organisms, with cascading socio-ecological effects. Management policies need to be in place to mitigate these effects ahead of time, but we are uncertain on the direction and magnitude of species-specific responses, hindering potential solutions. I do research that elucidates how/why focal species/populations respond to environmental change in the ocean, which can guide appropriate proactive management. Using a combination of field and lab techniques I attempt to piece together the relationship between pattern, process and environment under four main research themes.
A list of publications related to this research can be found at my google scholar profile. Please email me for any papers that may be paywalled.
Climate Resilience
photo: Carle Edworthy
Life-History
Ecology
video: Mike Skeeles
Signals of change
Contact
My research has primarily been been based along the coastal zone of sub-Saharan Africa and the California current system along the west coast of north America.
I am currently based at University of Seychelles and am always contactable on my gmail address.
