Anela Choy

Anela Choy is an Associate Professor in the Integrative Oceanography Division at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. Her research focuses on deep-sea biology, ecosystem dynamics, and environmental toxicology, with expertise in pelagic food web structure, mercury bioaccumulation, and microplastic pollution impacts. She holds a PhD in Oceanography (2013), M.Sc. (2008), and B.A. (2004) from the University of Hawaii.

Her work integrates stable isotope analysis, DNA metabarcoding, and eDNA methods to study organic matter flow, predator-prey interactions, and the effects of environmental change and fishing on marine ecosystems. Notable research includes investigating mercury in tuna, microplastic distribution in food webs, and the role of gelatinous organisms in midwater ecosystems.

Key contributions address global environmental policies like the Minamata Convention, pollution monitoring via bioindicators, and promoting diversity in ocean sciences through initiatives like Ho‘okele ka Wa‘a. She leads the Choy Lab and collaborates on projects such as the SiphWeb database and DEEPC cruises.