My primary research interest is to investigate how anthropogenic (human caused) stressors impact Hawaii’s marine vertebrates, particularly in sentinel species such as whales and dolphins. There is a widespread misconception that Hawai’i is so geographically remote that issues like marine pollution should not have a large impact on marine organisms in this area. Unfortunately, global distribution of chemicals resistant to environmental degradation means that no marine environment is “pristine”.
One of my key research partners is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Since 2010, NIST has partnered with HPU to bank environmental specimens from Hawai’i for current and long term study, as well as to measure contaminants and their effects in several marine species, including marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds, fish, and corals. This work has significant short and long term benefits as scientists race to document the ecological impacts of rapid environmental change. Contaminants of interest include legacy and emerging organic pollutants, trace elements (including mercury) and plastic marine debris.
