My research journey in marine ecology spans over 15 years, evolving from hands-on coral restoration to cutting-edge spatial ecology and remote sensing applications. As a PhD candidate at The Graduate Center, CUNY, and NOAA EPP Earth System Sciences Scholar, I investigate how environmental forces shape coral reef communities, with particular focus on the interplay between wave exposure, habitat complexity, and species life-history strategies.

Current Research Focus: Spatial Ecology at Rapa Nui

My doctoral research examines coral community assembly at Rapa Nui (Easter Island), one of the world's most isolated reef systems. Using large-area imaging and Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry, I create high-resolution 3D models of reef habitats to quantify spatial patterns invisible to traditional survey methods. My work reveals that wave exposure acts as a primary environmental filter, with massive Porites dominating protected environments through competitive exclusion, while opportunistic Pocillopora species thrive in high-energy zones through rapid colonization and fragmentation.

This research employs advanced spatial point pattern analysis to distinguish between biological processes (competition, reproduction, dispersal) and environmental drivers (wave stress, substrate availability) that generate observed coral distributions. My findings challenge conventional understanding of reef dynamics by demonstrating that spatial clustering patterns vary predictably along environmental gradients, with implications for predicting reef resilience under climate change.

Evolution of Research Approach

My path to spatial ecology began with coral restoration at the University of Miami (2004-2009), where I developed nursery techniques for the endangered staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis. This foundation in coral biology proved invaluable when I joined the US Geological Survey (2010-2013), discovering natural coral refugia in mangrove-lined bays of the Virgin Islands—environments previously thought unsuitable for reef-building corals. This work, published in Biogeosciences, demonstrated that marginal habitats may serve as climate refugia, fundamentally changing how we approach coral conservation.

My transition to Chile's Millennium Nucleus program (2014-2017) marked a shift toward landscape-scale ecology. At Rapa Nui, I pioneered the application of large-area imaging to quantify coral spatial patterns across wave exposure gradients. This period included training at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2017-2018), where I refined photogrammetric techniques now standard in reef monitoring programs across the Pacific.

Urban Marine Restoration

My recent work bridges fundamental ecology with applied restoration in urban environments. Through Hudson River Park Trust partnerships, I investigate how hyperlocal environmental heterogeneity affects restoration success of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and salt marshes (Spartina alterniflora) in Manhattan. Using arrays of tilt current meters and water level sensors, I've identified critical thresholds where wave exposure transitions from enhancing to inhibiting restoration targets—findings directly applicable to multi-million dollar restoration investments in New York Harbor.

Integrative Approach & Future Directions

My research integrates field ecology, remote sensing, and computational modeling to address pressing conservation challenges. I employ tools ranging from SCUBA-based photogrammetry to machine learning algorithms for species distribution modeling. This interdisciplinary approach enables me to tackle questions at the intersection of climate change, urbanization, and marine biodiversity.

Looking forward, my NOAA NERTO fellowship at James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory (2025) will expand my work to continental shelf scales, developing ensemble species distribution models for climate adaptation planning. My goal is to bridge the gap between ecological theory and conservation practice, providing managers with spatially-explicit tools for protecting marine ecosystems in an era of rapid environmental change.

Through teaching at CUNY colleges and public outreach at Hudson River Park, I translate complex ecological concepts for diverse audiences, fostering the next generation of marine scientists while ensuring research outcomes reach stakeholders who depend on healthy ocean ecosystems.