Matthew Birk

Dr. Matthew Birk is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Saint Francis University, leading the Birk Lab of Cephalopod Physiology. He holds a Ph.D. in Marine Science (University of South Florida) and a B.Sc. in Marine Biology (University of North Carolina Wilmington). His research focuses on physiological adaptations of marine animals to environmental challenges, particularly oxygen regulation in cephalopods. By integrating biochemistry, genetics, and ecology, his work explores how organisms balance oxygen supply and demand under extreme conditions. Recent articles highlight studies on sodium pump mechanisms, temperature-dependent RNA editing in octopuses, and oxygen dynamics in marine ecosystems. The Birk Lab emphasizes the ecological roles of cephalopods and their resilience to environmental stressors. Collaborations involve R package development for respirometry and fiber optic data analysis, reflecting his commitment to advancing experimental tools in marine biology.