Geoffrey Cook

Geoffrey Cook is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Central Florida. His research examines the distribution, abundance, and dynamics of species in coastal marine ecosystems, integrating field ecology with ecological modeling. Cook's work addresses both theoretical and applied questions in marine conservation and restoration.

Research areas include: habitat use by larval and juvenile fishes impacting marine metapopulations; extinction risk modeling for protected species; network-based analysis of marine ecosystem risk; and simulation of coastal system resilience. Current projects investigate how restored habitats influence fish communities, trophic dynamics, and ecosystem functioning in estuarine environments.

Cook's recent publications demonstrate strong focus on restoration ecology, particularly oyster reef and wetland restoration in the Indian River Lagoon system. Studies employ diverse methodologies including gut content analysis, acoustic telemetry, Bayesian modeling, and ensemble modeling frameworks to assess restoration outcomes and fish community responses.

His laboratory maintains active field research programs in Florida coastal ecosystems and collaborates with management agencies to inform conservation strategies. Cook's work contributes to developing optimal approaches for conserving marine biodiversity while promoting sustainable coastal communities.