Pedro Castilho

I’m a postdoc in the Block lab interested in the study the physiology and biochemistry of endothermic fishes. My main areas of research involve the evolution of physiological traits and how the endothermic fishes respond to temperature change. I’ve been testing the effect of temperature change on SERCA2 (cardiac calcium cycling protein) activity and expression in different Scombridae and Lamnidae fishes using sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-uptake, Ca2+-ATPase hydrolysis assays and Western blot analysis. To identify the expression of genes associated to endothemy, I’m comparing the global mRNA expression profile in cardiac tissue of endothermic and ectothermic fishes using microarrays.

Salvador Jorgensen

As a postdoc, my research focuses on the behavioral ecology of white sharks and how they use their habitat. I am broadly interested in how large pelagic fishes use the oceanic environment. Since this open habitat has few physical barriers, individual movement behavior strongly influences the degree of mixing between sub-populations. I am studying how site fidelity and homing behavior determine population structure in white sharks.

Ivona Mladineo

I’m a Fulbright Scholar at Hopkins. I’m studying expression of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) in tuna tissues infected by didymozoid parasites. The broader focus of my research is the assessment of different physiological and immunological genes expressed in tuna under stressful conditions (temperature changes), with the goal to develop a valuable tool for health screening of tuna reared in aquaculture. I have a Ph.D. in fish pathology, field of parasitology from the Veterinary Faculty at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. I specialize in diseases in reared fish and shellfish.

My research centers on ecological and evolutionary genetics of marine fish, especially those subject to commercial exploitation. I work alongside physiologists and ecologists to understand the genetics of fishery species, many of which now teeter on the verge of collapse from overharvesting. By combining genetics with migration tracks obtained from electronic tags deployed by ecologists, we have begun to show that even marine fishery species found throughout the world’s oceans exhibit homing behaviors such that they effectively subdivide themselves into smaller, genetically discrete units or populations. Documenting the unique geographic range and behaviors associated with each population can improve fishery management. I also devise DNA tools to measure physiological characteristics of populations with the hope of monitoring aspects in their marine environment crucial to their survival. This provides insight into knowing how a fishery might respond to climate change or habitat loss/damage in the future. I received a Ph.D. in genetics, ecology, and evolution from the University of Hawaii.

Luis Rodriguez

As the TRCC research technician, I have the privilege of working with scientists on the cutting edge of pelagic fish ecology and physiology. Innovative tagging methods allow our team to better understand the extraordinary diving and migration patterns of these ecologically and commercially valuable species. With a background in ecology and cell biology, I am also interested in what allows these species to perform and function in such a wide range of pelagic habitats, as well as determining cues for reproduction on a cellular level.

I am a TOPP PhD student in the Block Lab and a Research Fellow for Conservational International (CI). During the past three years, I have been very active within CI developing a new large-scale marine conservation initiative called the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape (ETPS). I am now working with Stanford, TOPP, and CI to develop marine corridor research and design activities within the ETPS. Our hope is that these efforts will eventually lead to management actions that will work to promote the long-term conservation of marine biodiversity within this biologically rich and productive region. My research will include studies about the behavior, movements, and distribution of billfish (striped marlin, black marlin, blue marlin, and Indo-pacific sailfish), Pacific leatherback sea turtles, and sharks. I am interested in understanding how variability within the marine environment influences the movements and distributions of different pelagic species. I am utilizing a multi- species, multi-tag approach to identify areas where environmental factors influence behavior across taxonomic groups to create focal areas or "pelagic hotspots" for conservation attention. An additional exciting benefit of these efforts is the potential opportunity to apply environmental data generated thorough tag-deployment towards the validation and improvement of oceanographic and climate models within this highly variable (ENSO driven) region.

I have the opportunity to be the veterinarian for the TRCC since its inception. This consists of a support role to the center's scientific staff and to do individual research both on site and in the field. I have been with the Monterey Bay Aquarium since 1978 doing sea otter research and other duties concerned with animal health at the aquarium. My work at TRCC has been involved with fish anesthesia and surgery, nutrition, digital imagery, transmitter implanation and all aspects of general fish health.