Jake Dytnerski
Ph.D. candidate
Research
Hong Kong has a seasonally dynamic marine environment. Summer sea surface temperatures can exceed 30°C whereas winter temperatures can drop below 15°C. This range in temperature allows for year-round coral communities, and abundant growth of macroalgae in the winter. For my PhD, I am researching the role of the long-spined sea urchin, Diadema setosum, in the ecosystem, here in Hong Kong. Much work has been done on Diadema antillarum in the Caribbean, and some work has been done on the D. setosum as a bioeroder of coral reefs in the tropics. However, little is known about which marcoalgae these urchins feed on; how they affect the seasonal patterns of macroalgae growth and distribution; if the urchins target living corals here in Hong Kong or just the turf algae that grows on the dead skeletons of the corals. Answering these questions will help understand the food sources of the urchins and how their energy stores vary with the seasonal change in food abundance. I am also interested in the connectivity of the populations of D. setosum across its range, as they can be found from the East coast of Africa to French Polynesia, from Honshu, Japan to NSW, Australia. I want to compare the physiological performance of the urchins from stable tropical environments and highly variable environments to determine if they show extensive physiological plasticity, or if populations have adapted to variable environments. This will allow me to predict how these important grazers will cope with future conditions across their range.
Education
2016: Bachelor of Science, Honours Marine Biology, University of British Columbia, Canada
2013: Arts and Science Diploma: Biology, Langara College, Canada
Awards
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2015: Dean of Science Scholarship – Biology research grant
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2013: Betty and Tony Pletcher Memorial Scholarship – For Achievement in Biology
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2012: Real Estate Foundation Biology Student Bursary – Bursary for Biology students
Vacancies - Volunteering - Studentship - Collaborations
The Marine Futures Lab offers numerous opportunities to local and international students or scientists.
Come join us as a volunteer, RHD candidate, Post-doctoral fellow or visiting scientist. Take a look below for some exciting possibilities and current vacancies.
Volunteering and Exchange
As a dynamic lab, we work on multiple projects. We always welcome some extra helping hand on field and in the laboratory.
Alternatively, if you wish to undertake your final year project or work with us as part of an international exchange, we can offer various possibilities on new or existing projects.
Contact us and let's make it happen.
Vacancies
New RHD and Post-doctoral positions are regularly posted below.
Additionally, if you have a research idea that you wish to explore, do not hesitate to discuss it with us.
Post-Doctoral Fellow in ecological modelling
Applications are invited for appointment as Post-doctoral Fellow at the Marine Futures Laboratory in the Research Division for Ecology and Biodiversity and the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS), to commence as soon as possible for two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
Applicants should possess a Ph.D. degree in Ecology, Ecological Modelling, or Marine Biology/Ecology related disciplines. They should have a demonstrated publication record of high-impact papers investigating how climate change (particularly ocean warming and marine heatwaves) drive changes to marine biology or ecology, broad-scale biodiversity patterns, and/or ecosystem functioning. The appointee will lead a funded research project in partnership with the Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba (Japan) and CSIRO Australia. Review of applications will commence as soon as possible and continue until May 9, 2021,Please visit the link below for more information and application page: https://jobs.hku.hk/en/job/503704/postdoctoral-fellow-at-the-marine-futures-laboratory
