Bluefin Tuna Spawning Region (BLOOFINZ)

In the bluefin tuna spawning region of the Indian Ocean, I’m interested in how mixotrophy and zooplankton dynamics shape energy transfer through the food web.

Focus areas: - The role of mixotrophic protists and their impact on apparent trophic position - How zooplankton biomass and traits structure potential prey fields for bluefin tuna larvae - How biogeochemistry and physical structure (fronts, eddies) interact with community composition

Methods include: - Bulk and compound-specific isotope analyses - Zooplankton community composition and size structure - Conceptual and trait-based food web models