Josh Hancock
Coral Ecologist
My Research
My passion for science is rooted in solutions based discovery. More specifically, I find myself most interested in asking (and sometimes answering!) questions about coral biology which may be directly applicable to reef conservation and restoration. Recently, my work has focused on elucidating complexities within the aquaculture pipeline of sexually reproduced corals. My aim is to address key knowledge gaps and develop new tools, like selective breeding, in order to reduce barriers to reef restoration in the face of climate change.
Education and Experience
MS - Biology, Sonoma State University, 2016
BS - Zoology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2014
Current Projects
Post-hoc selective breeding
Optimization of abiotic factors for improved growth and survivorship of Juvenile Corals
Publications
Roach TNF, Yadav S, Caruso C, Dilworth J, Foley CM, Hancock J, Hucekba J, Huffmyer AS, Hughes K, Kahkejian VA, Madin EMP, Matsuda S, McWilliam M, Miller S, Santoro EP, Rocha de Souza M, Torres-Pulliza D, Drury C, Madin JS. A field primer for monitoring benthic ecosystems using structure-from-motion photogrammetry. In Press. Journal of Visual Experimentation (2021): https://doi.org/10.3791/61815
Hancock J, Barrows A, Roome T, Huffmyer AS, Matsuda S, Munk N, Rahnke S, Drury C. Coral husbandry for ocean futures: leveraging abiotic factors to increase survivorship, growth and resilience in juvenile Montipora capitata. Marine Ecology Progress Series (2021): https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13534
Hancock JR, Place SP. 2016. Impact of Ocean Acidification on the Hypoxia Tolerance of the Woolly Sculpin (Clinocottus analis). Conservation Physiology. In Press.
Gaitán-Espitia JD, Hancock JR, Padilla-Gamiño JL, Rivest EB, Blanchette CA, Reed DC, Hofmann GE. 2014. Interactive effects of elevated temperature and pCO2 on early-life-history stages of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 457: 51-58.