LAB MEMBERS
Matthew Robertson
I am a Research Scientist at the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystem Research (CFER) at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University in Newfoundland. My research focuses on answering macro-scale ecological questions in fisheries, and how those questions can be addressed in ways that can be used to improve advice for ecosystem-based fisheries management.
I lecture in the Fisheries Science Graduate Program – teaching ‘Statistics and Study Design for Fisheries Science’ and a module on population dynamics in `Ecology, Management, and Practice of North Atlantic Fisheries`.
I am a 2023 graduate of Memorial University where I received my PhD in Fisheries Science. My PhD research focused on assessing the differential recovery trajectories of flatfish on the Grand Bank. Prior to attending Memorial University I graduated from Louisiana State University with an MSc in Oceanography and from Dalhousie University, where I received a BSc with Honours in Marine Biology.
709-778-0603
Jinwoo Gim
Postdoctoral Fellow
My academic interests lie in quantitative fisheries management, particularly in fish stock assessments, fish population dynamics, and mathematical statistics. During my graduate studies, I focused on developing stock assessment models, such as an age-structured, length-based model and a state-space, age-structured model. I received my PhD in Fisheries Science in 2023 from Pukyong National University in South Korea, where I worked on a state-space, age-structured model under the supervision of Prof. Saang-Yoon Hyun. I also completed my MSc in Fisheries Science at the same institution in 2019, focusing on an age-structured, length-based model, again under Prof. Hyun’s guidance. Prior to that, I earned my BS in Oceanography from Inha University in 2017. I am an AD Model Builder and Template Model Builder (TMB) user for stock assessment modeling.
The beauty of population dynamics and stock assessment lies in the attempt to quantify something we cannot directly observe—underwater fish populations, the “true parameter” that only nature knows. Using modeling, mathematical statistics, numerical optimization, and computer programming, we strive to estimate these unknowns. If it doesn't offend your modern sensibility, I would compare stock assessment to magic. The spells that shape population dynamics. Drawing on knowledge (methods, theories and data), we write a spell on a scroll (write the model's code in a script language) and cast the spell (run the model and perform numerical optimization) to create magic (estimation and projection).
Looking ahead, I aim to continue advancing the field of stock assessment and population dynamics through innovative modeling approaches. I am excited to collaborate with fellow researchers and contribute to sustainable fisheries management that balances ecological and economic goals.
Éamonn Joeín Mac Donnachá
PhD Student
I have always been fascinated with the ocean, especially having grown up right next to it. This fascination has led me down the path of marine biology research. My PhD project is focusing on capelin (Mallotus villosus) population dynamics in Newfoundland. This involves developing a state-space model for the capelin population, which will include factors that may affect their population. In terms of academic interests, I have a strong interest in marine ecology, ecosystems, and the impacts of anthropogenic activities.
I did my MSc in Marine Biology in University College Cork in Ireland. My thesis focused on using baited remote underwater video systems to investigate the different macro-fauna benthic communities occurring off the Arklow Bank in the Irish Sea. Arklow Bank is currently a site for offshore windfarm development in Ireland. So, this work gives preliminary data on the communities present in the area before major construction occurs. I also did work investigating the impacts that the construction of an offshore breakwater, which artificially sheltered shores, had on local intertidal communities in Millport, Scotland.
My BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Environmental Biology was also done in University College Cork. As part of my BSc, I conducted a final year thesis that looked at the spatial pattern of chthamalid barnacles (Chthamalus spp.) in Ireland using image analysis. I was also a bursar of the Irish Marine Institute (Foras na Mara). My work in the Marine Institute was helping to validate qPCR assays for fish pathogens and working with historical crayfish material.
I love being able to learn anything I can about the ocean. So, I hope that my research will expand my knowledge but have real-world impacts. I also think that understanding capelin dynamics is important to understanding the local ecosystem, and the population of its predators. I am very excited to dive deeper into this topic and collaborate with people!
Michael Soares
MSc Student
I am a member of the FESA Lab and I'm going to be studying the effects of climate change on the population dynamics of fish in the Atlantic Ocean! I have had a passion for biology my entire life which inspired me to get a BS with honors in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and minor in Bioinformatics at the University of California Santa Cruz. I studied under the Redwood Forest where I learned a lot about ecosystem composition, terrestrial/marine systems, and indigenous life. When I'm not working I am typically taking care of my cat, getting active by hiking, climbing, or exploring St John's. I love to forage and I hope to learn a lot about the local mushroom availability as well! My experiences with field work, camping and traveling has taught me that life is a complicated mosaic and understanding the big picture is pivotal to create new insights into the world around us. I hope that my background will help me conduct research that will have a meaningful impact on fisheries management in NL.
Through my education, I have developed a love for statistics and modeling communities with programming languages. I grew up on computers and I greatly enjoy using technology to develop new insights about animal populations and thinking about how it relates to the overarching ecosystem. I think that technology is invaluable to scientific development and I believe that as the tools at hand get better we will be able to learn more about the world around us.
One of my goals in academia is to propel sustainability practices to help create a more eco-conscious collective. As overpopulation takes its toll on the ecosystems of the world, preserving diversity while supporting the needs of many people will continue to be a major topic of conversation. With good research, implementation of new practices, and indigenous knowledge I believe that we can start living with nature instead of living off of it.
