Research Labs

HIMB scientists study everything from marine microbes to marine mammals, and the connection from ridge to reef across many dedicated research labs. Our mission is to conduct, promote, and support research and training in tropical marine biology.

About Our Labs

At HIMB, over 200 passionate faculty, researchers, and students leverage our unique setting—surrounded by a living coral reef—to conduct cutting-edge research and create future-oriented solutions at scale.

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A group of people smile and pose on a boat named "KA NOELO KA" in turquoise water under a clear sky.
Research Lab

KeaoaLo‘e REMS Lab

Our lab focuses on marine science training and education research.

Led by Malia Rivera

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A scuba diver works with equipment on the ocean floor near some coral, with another diver in the background.
Research Lab

Johansen Fish Resilience Program

We study how tropical coral reef fishes (and octopus) react and adapt to natural and human-induced environmental stressors.

Led by Jacob Johansen

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Research Lab

Marine Ecological Theory Lab

We develop mathematical and computational tools to predict marine ecosystem responses to environmental change, focusing on coral reef dynamics, adaptation mechanisms, and human-environment interactions.

Led by Lisa McManus

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A snorkeler in blue gear swims above colorful coral reefs in clear, shallow ocean water.
Research Lab

Coastal Systems Ecology Lab

Our research program is instrumental in understanding reef resilience and directly informs local management strategies and global ecosystem forecasts.

Led by Megan Donahue

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Research Lab

Rappé Laboratory for Aquatic Microbial Ecology

We aim to understand the impact of microbial genetic diversity on ocean ecology, and we interpret this diversity through the lens of functional adaptation and evolution.

Led by Michael S. Rappé

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A hand holds a yellow lens over coral, revealing green fluorescent spots under blue light.
Research Lab

Marine Conservation Innovation Group

MCIG develops and applies advanced science, design, and technology to understand, protect and restore marine ecosystems.

Led by Joshua Madin & Elizabeth Madin

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Research Lab

Franklin Lab

The Franklin Lab performs research in quantitative marine ecology, fisheries science, marine population dynamics, ecological restoration, invasive species, and ecoinformatics of coral reef ecosystems.

Led by Erik Franklin

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People stand in shallow water, holding a long fishing net with lush mountains and clouds in the background.
Research Lab

He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)

He‘eia NERR is a federal, state, and community-based partnership, committed to a vision of ‘āina momona - resilient estuaries and watersheds where human and natural communities thrive.

Led by Kawika Winter

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Research Lab

Coral Resilience Lab

We aim to understand the many complex ways in which corals respond to a changing environment, with a focus on climate change.

Led by Crawford Drury

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Close-up view of coral branches underwater, showing their textured surface and tiny polyps.
Research Lab

Smithsonian Cryopreservation Lab

Our lab leverages innovative, interdisciplinary research to address conservation challenges for threatened coral reefs.

Led by Mary Hagedorn

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Colorful underwater corals of different shapes and textures growing close together on the ocean floor.
Research Lab

The Donovan Lab

We incorporate quantitative spatial ecology, resilience theory, field ecology, data synthesis, and statistical modeling to generate insights into the function and resilience of social-ecological systems.

Led by Mary Donovan

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Research Lab

Shark and Pelagic Fisheries Research Group

We focus on studying the behavior, sensory physiology and movement patterns of sharks and other fishes, especially pelagic species. This is accomplished through a combination of laboratory and field experiments.

Led by Kim Holland

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Research Lab

Scalable Informatics Lab

Our research centers around the utilization of machine learning and large-scale language models (AI), with a specific emphasis on their application in viral ecology and proteomics.

Led by Mahdi Belcaid

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Coral and fish grow on a submerged metal grid structure, with a labeled triangular marker underwater.
Research Lab

ToBo Lab

We work on an array of organisms across the metazoan tree of life, from sponges to vertebrates, to illuminate the underlying mechanisms behind differences in dispersal, distribution, and speciation.

Led by Rob Toonen and Brian Bowen

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Research Lab

Marine Mammal Research Program

Our research focuses on marine mammals and other marine megafauna.

Led by Lars Bejder

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Research Lab

Lemus Maker Lab

We use community-based participatory research as an approach to science education and outreach, and develop learning environments that explore and encourage the synergies between science, art and service.

Led by Judith Lemus

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Dive Deeper Into Marine Science at HIMB

HIMB's research focuses on understanding and protecting tropical marine ecosystems, blending expertise across different fields. We leverage local and global partnerships to ensure our work advances the understanding and protection of the oceans, locally and globally.

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