Daniel M. Holstein
I am a post-doctoral research associate at the University of the Virgin Islands. My research focuses on the biological and physical characteristics of mesophotic coral ecosystems, and how these ecosystems may bolster the resilience of coral reefs in an uncertain future.
I received my doctorate from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in 2013. My dissertation research focused on the connectivity between mesophotic and shallow coral reef ecosystems, and the physical and biological forcing that determines coral reef reproduction, development, structure, distribution, and resilience.
I did my dissertation field work in the US Virgin Islands, and utilized technical diving techniques and mixed gasses to collect samples from coral reefs as deep as 150 feet. I have used the Connectivity Modeling System to develop a coral-larval dispersal model that incorporated habitat-specific parameters of coral health, density and reproduction, as well as high resolution three-dimensional hydrologic forcing. The results from this work will further our understanding of coral reef refugia and resilience.
Please check out my Curriculum Vitae for more information regarding my research, teaching and work experience.
