Matthew James Hansen

Dr. Matthew James Hansen is a postdoctoral researcher at the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin, Germany. His work spans animal behavior, social dynamics, and marine ecology, focusing on predator-prey interactions in group-living species. Currently, he leads a DFG-funded project on multi-predator aggregations in the open ocean and previously conducted DFG-funded research on striped marlin hunting behavior.

• PhD in Animal Behaviour (2012-2015), University of Sydney, Australia
• Post-doctoral Research Associate, Fangue Laboratory, UC Davis (2016-2018)

Hansen's research integrates behavioral assays, biomechanics, and ecological modeling to study collective cognition in aquatic species. His publications explore topics such as group hunting strategies, predator interference, and sensory adaptations in billfishes. Recent work highlights the role of social context in anti-predator responses and evolutionary trade-offs in foraging behavior.

Scientific awards include a Humboldt Research Fellowship and multiple DFG Individual Research Grants. He collaborates with institutions like the University of Sydney, UC Davis, and IGB, and his expertise spans group movement, foraging, and predator-prey interactions. Hansen's projects often bridge applied conservation challenges (e.g., salmon entrainment mitigation) with fundamental questions in behavioral ecology.