Research Expertise and Interest

population dynamics of exploited species, marine biology, community ecology, ecological modeling, biostatistics

Research Description

Daniel Okamoto is an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology. His research group studies population dynamics with a focus on exploited species of importance to coastal communities. They are broadly interested in how environment and species interactions regulate fluctuations in population dynamics, physiology, and vital rates (i.e., recruitment and connectivity, metabolism, energy budgets, development, growth, reproduction & mortality), and how such information can lead to more robust, equitable, and just natural resource management.  Their research integrates mathematical modeling, Bayesian statistical analysis, field data, & laboratory experiments.

They also collaborate with communities with aims to design and conduct field-based research and analyses that bolster equity and sustainability in the process of science and natural resource management. Focal research taxa include sea urchins, macroalgae, forage fish, reef fish and abalone. Core research locations include, but are not limited to, the oceans surrounding Coastal California, the Great Bear Rainforest (British Columbia), the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area (British Columbia), and southeast Alaska.