Christopher Free

Christopher Free is a Research Professor at the Marine Science Institute and Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara. His research employs quantitative methods to address aquatic conservation challenges, focusing on climate-adaptive fisheries management, endangered species bycatch, marine heatwaves, and human nutrition. He serves on the Scientific and Statistical Committee for the Pacific Fisheries Management Council and the NOAA Pacific Marine Mammal Scientific Review Group.

Research integrates population modeling, machine learning, and spatial-temporal analysis to study social-ecological drivers of fish populations and coastal food systems.

Education includes a PhD in Oceanography (Rutgers University) and a BA in Conservation Biology (Middlebury College).