معرفی
K. David Hyrenbach is a Professor of Oceanography in the Department of Natural Science at Hawai’i Pacific University’s College of Natural and Computational Sciences. He teaches courses in Hawaiian natural history, biometry, seabird ecology, marine conservation biology, and advanced research methods in marine science.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2001)
- B.S. in Ecology, Behavior & Evolution, University of California San Diego (1993)
Dr. Hyrenbach's research centers on marine conservation and the ecology of far-ranging pelagic vertebrates, including seabirds, sea turtles, cetaceans, and tunas. He investigates how oceanographic processes such as upwelling and convergence create productive habitats, and how this knowledge can inform conservation strategies like gear modifications, area closures, and Marine Protected Areas. Seabirds serve as key bio-indicators in his work, reflecting broader ecosystem health.
His team, the Pelagicos Team, conducts field and analytical research on marine predator movements and foraging ecology, with active projects tracking Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and assessing the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on seabird groundings in Hawai‘i. This research has been featured in public media, highlighting its societal relevance.
Dr. Hyrenbach mentors students through independent research, master’s theses, and capstone projects. He leads ongoing research initiatives supported by fieldwork and collaborations across the North Pacific.
Lab and Research Group:
- Pelagicos Team – focused on ecology and conservation of large marine vertebrates
- Research sites include the Freeman Seabird Preserve, O’ahu, Hawai’i
- Projects involve geolocator tracking, habitat modeling, and threat mitigation
