Reyn Yoshioka, PhD

Education

B.S. Biological Sciences, Conc. Ecology and Evolution, Cornell University 2014

Ph.D., Biology, University of Oregon 2021

Research Interests

I have broad interests in marine disease and trophic ecology but am particularly motivated by the intersections of parasitism and nutrition, especially in marine invertebrates. I use a combination of field studies, experiments, and modelling approaches to understand how such species interactions shift under changing environments. My past and ongoing research topics include coral disease, eelgrass wasting, sea star wasting, and shrimp parasitism. I often use fatty acids as a nutritional indicator and trophic biomarker but am eager to use and incorporate nutritional markers that are easy to use and accessible especially to budding researchers.

My current work focuses on incorporating datasets from different sources to understand ecological changes over space and time. For example, this has involved combining fisheries observer data of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and oceanographic model hindcasts to investigate the emerging black eye syndrome in Bering Sea snow crab. More recently, I am working on modelling epizootic shell disease observations from the Maine Department of Marine Resources Lobster Sea Sampling program to understand how the disease has changed over time and in relation to bottom water temperatures. My goal is to turn research into understanding, forecasting tools, and solutions to address ocean related issues.