Michael Frisk

Dr. Michael Frisk is a Professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) at Stony Brook University. His research focuses on fish ecology, population modeling, and life history theory. He leads the Frisk Laboratory, collaborating with organizations like the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute. His work integrates telemetry, ecosystem modeling, and field studies to address challenges in marine conservation, fisheries management, and climate impacts. Key projects include the Nearshore Ocean Trawl Survey, acoustic tracking of sharks and sturgeon, and studies on Lake Turkana fisheries. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, involving students and postdocs in projects such as winter flounder thermal tolerance and PFAS accumulation in coastal sharks.

Education: Ph.D. in 2004 from the University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science. Research interests span fisheries ecology, migratory patterns, and ecosystem resilience. The lab’s activities include collaborative projects on species distribution modeling for offshore wind development and the ecological implications of climate change. Dr. Frisk mentors graduate students and advises on grants related to marine spatial planning and conservation.

Scientific contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work focusing on telemetry validation, PFAS contamination in marine species, and winter flounder population dynamics. The Frisk Lab also engages in outreach through field surveys and public education initiatives.