Aaron N. Rice

Aaron N. Rice is a Research Professor at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, specializing in bioacoustics and marine ecology. His work bridges coastal ecology with conservation policy, focusing on sound production and perception in fishes and whales to understand social behaviors and population dynamics.

• Develops passive acoustic monitoring frameworks for marine species
• Provides bioacoustic data for U.S. federal/state agencies (BOEM, NOAA, National Park Service)
• Contributes to marine spatial planning, including offshore wind energy development

Research Highlights:

• Proves fish sounds dominate coastal soundscapes seasonally
• Links acoustic patterns to environmental changes and migratory behavior
• Directly influenced North Atlantic right whale critical habitat expansion and Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whales endangered listing

Scientific Awards:

• U.S. Department of Interior Partners in Conservation Award (2014)

Recent Collaborations: Integrates passive acoustics with Everglades freshwater flow management, fosters interdisciplinary ties with U.S. Navy, National Park Service, and NGOs.