Phone:
(808) 956-3310
Fax: (808) 956-9516
E-mail: derocher.mj@gmail.com
University
of Hawai`i at Manoa,
1000 Pope Road,
Marine Sciences Building, office 601
Honolulu, HI 96822
Michael graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Spring 2011 with concurrent Bachelor's of Science degrees in Biology and Global Environmental Science. His research interests, broadly speaking, are in environmental science and biological oceanography.
His G.E.S. senior thesis work with Craig Smith investigated macrobenthic parameters within a latitudinal transect along the continental shelf of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAPcs), collected from the first cruise of FOODBANCS-2 (Food for the Benthos on the Antarctic Continental Shelf) in March 2008. In this project, they compared their recently obtained macrobenthic abundance, biomass, and mean body-size data from 2008 to evidence from earlier studies (e.g. Mühlenhardt-Siegel, 1988), regional WAPcs sea-ice extent, and other physical factors. Their quantitative work revealed both significant latitudinal gradients and significant temporal changes (since 1985) in macrobenthic parameters along the WAPcs.
Michael is now currently examining photographic samples of soft-bottom benthic communities from fjord basins along the WAP to further elucidate regional ecological energetic dynamics. His previous experiences include researching heterocyst cell differentiation in the Anabaena cyanobacteria, assisting with the deployment of CTD rosettes, trawls, bongo nets, and baited cameras during an oceanographic student cruise on the R/V Kilo Moana, and serving as an Introductory Biology Supplemental Instructor for the UHM Learning Assistance Center.
