My work focuses on endangered abalone restoration, spiny lobster fishery management, and octopus behavior and ecology.
Big News!
I am featured in the two-part series Octopus! on Amazon Prime, narrated by Pheobe Waller-Bridge. Releases on May 8, 2025!
Research Projects
Octopus Behavior and Ecology
octopus bimaculatus
My PhD research explored the behavior and ecology of the California Two Spot Octopus (Octopus bimaculatus) around Catalina Island, CA. My current research expands on this work by tracking the movement of O. bimaculatus in Southern California and understanding how octopuses can affect abalone restoration.
Saving the White Abalone
Red abaone, Haliotis rufescens. Photo Credit: CDFW Athena maguire
White abalone (Halitosis sorenseni) was the first marine invertebrate listed as endangered on the federal endangered species list. Its present population will not survive without human intervention. I am the CDFW lead collaborating with of NOAA and other partners to prevent the disappearance of this important animal.
Dive in Deeper
photo credit: kory gozjack
Looking for more? Find recordings of my past talks and appearances, find amazing facts about octopuses, and see how fun science can be.