Rob first started studying Alaskan ecosystems in 1995 when he joined one of the first post Exxon Valdez oil spill ecosystem studies to understand long-term impacts and limitations to the recovery of injured resources. Since then, he has conducted studies throughout much of Alaska (except the Arctic, which he is excited to become involved in) and the North Pacific, from California to Japan, including Hawaii. Rob has specialized in integrated studies of predator foraging ecology and population dynamics in response to changing prey availability and ocean conditions. His studies have contributed to marine spatial planning, offshore renewable energy development, endangered species conservation, seabird-fishery interactions, ecosystem-based fisheries management, and other human-marine resource interactions.
Rob began his NOAA career with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center as a research ecologist. His primary focus was science coordination for the Gulf Watch Alaska Long-term Ecosystem Monitoring Program. Prior to this, he was an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center where he established the Seabird Oceanography Lab, a research and education program focused on seabird science and conservation. Rob was also formerly a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska.
Rob developed an interest in the ocean at a young age aboard his uncle’s commercial salmon troller and while tidepooling in Monterey Bay. His interest in Alaska developed while listening to his family’s stories about salmon seining in Alaska. Rob received a Ph.D. from Oregon State University, a M.S. from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and a B.S. from Humboldt State University and has contributed to over 60 scientific publications. Among other activities, he is currently chair of the Pacific Seabird Group, a contributing editor for Marine Ecology Progress Series, and leader of the Short-tailed Albatross endangered species recovery team. Rob first visited Juneau almost 30 years ago, arriving by sea kayak from Wrangell. He and his family moved to Juneau four years ago when his wife accepted a job at the NOAA Alaska Regional Office.
