Although my job is teaching, I use some of my free time to continue my research. I am most interested in applying the principles of behavioral ecology to marine and benthic ecology. In particular, I study the effects of environment and ecology on mate choice, the evolution of social systems, the ecology of parasitism, and grazing ecology. I am also interested in conservation biology. I'm particularly fond of fishes—those with skeletons of bone or cartilage—but I enjoy and have worked on many different animals, particularly crustaceans and urchins and even some plants!

bicolor damselfish with Anilocra parasite

My dissertation research focused on the effect of the large external isopod parasite, Anilocra partiti, on the ecology, health, behavior and mating success of its host, the bicolor damselfish, Stegastes partitus. Some other areas in which I've worked include the feeding ecology of seagrass parrotfishes, the ecology of the important reef urchin Diadema antillarum and of the seagrass urchin Tripneustes ventricosus, the functional morphology of feeding in sharks, the structure of sperm of reef fishes (relating it to sperm competition), and aggression and territoriality in damselfishes.

My current research site is St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, where I work out of the Hofstra University Marine Laboratory. My wife, Silvia Maciá, and I were recently the resident directors of this lab located about 13 km west of Ocho Rios. This is a great place to bring a class, do an internship, or do your research. You don’t even have to worry if you have no knowledge of tropical marine biology. They will train you and have an excellent support staff of biologists.

me and Himantura schmardae stingray in Jamaica
(I'm the one in SCUBA.)

I have included here and on a linked page some pictures that I enjoy. I change them every once in awhile, so feel free to check back. Well, that’s it for this introductory page. If you want more detail about my research, interests, exploits, or what not, follow the links above. Thanks for coming!