John H. R. Burns

Dr. John H. R. Burns is an Associate Professor of Marine Science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, affiliated with the Marine Science Department within the College of Natural and Health Sciences (CNHS). His research focuses on coral health, disease impacts, and ecosystem dynamics, employing innovative 3D modeling and data visualization techniques. He leads the Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis (MEGA) Lab, which develops tools to map coral reefs and assess ecological changes.

Research Interests: Coral Biology, Coral Reef Ecology, Quantitative Ecology, and applications of 3D modeling in marine conservation. His work addresses global stressors like climate change and localized threats to coral ecosystems, emphasizing data-driven solutions.

Dr. Burns’ contributions include award-winning documentaries such as Chasing Coral and Island Earth, which highlight his research on coral mortality and reef resilience. He teaches courses in Oceanography and Data Visualization, bridging scientific research with practical education.

Labs/Teams: Director of the MEGA Lab, focused on integrating technology with marine science to advance ecosystem monitoring and conservation strategies.