Principal Investigator

R. J. David Wells
Professor
Chancellor EDGES Fellow & George P. Mitchell Endowed Chair in Sustainable Fisheries
Department of Marine Biology (Galveston)
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology (College Station)
Education:
Ph.D. Louisiana State University (2007)
M.S. Texas A&M University (2002)
B.S. Oregon State University (1998)
Research Interest:
Biology and ecology of bony fishes, sharks, and rays. Research focus on life history, habitat use, movement, and feeding ecology of marine species throughout sub-tropical and temperate ecosystems.
Graduate Students

Natalie Windels
Ph.D. student (co-advised with Dr. Jay Rooker)
Education:
B.S. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2022)
Research Interests:
I am interested in the behavioral ecology and migratory patterns of marine fishes within coastal and pelagic ecosystems. My dissertation will investigate the early life of several tropical tuna species (yellowfin, blackfin, bigeye, and skipjack) using telemetry, dietary tracers, and otolith chemistry to gain insight into the community dynamics of tunas in the Gulf of Mexico.

Paula Dominguez
Ph.D. student
Education:
M.S. University of St. Andrews, Scotland (2021)
B.S. University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (2020)
Research Interests:
I am interested in studying how human activities impact shark populations and conservation. My dissertation will be focused on the impacts of human-wildlife interactions and shark survival rates. My research is focused on shark depredation patterns, fisher behavior with sharks, and examining post-release survival rates and spatial movement dynamics of sharks along the Texas coast.

Daniel Martinez
M.S. student
Education:
B.S. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (2017)
Research Interests:
I am broadly interested in the spatial and temporal movement and feeding patterns of marine fishes. My thesis is focusing on the diets of red drum throughout the Galveston Bay Estuarine Complex.

Taryn Hood
M.S. student
Education:
B.S. Texas A&M University (2024)
Research Interests:
My interests include elasmobranch physiology, behavior, and movement. My thesis is focused on age and growth of stingrays in the Gulf of Mexico.

María Antonia Izurieta Burbano de Lara
M.S. student
Education:
B.S. Universidad San Francisco de Quito (2022)
Research Interests:
I am interested in the ecology and migratory patterns of marine megafauna to promote proper conservation. My thesis is focused on a newly rediscovered population of sharks in the Galapagos Islands where I am using acoustic telemetry and underwater video to examine potential shark nursery areas.
Research Associates

Landes Randall
Senior Research Associate
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University (2014)
B.S. Trinity University (2011)
Research Interests:
I am interested in habitat use and ecology of marine fishes. My research focuses on using acoustic telemetry to monitor fish and shark movement, habitat use, and residency within the estuary and coastal environment. The goal of this research is to provide insight into habitat preference and movement of fish populations which could aid in management decisions.
Lab Alumni

Allison White
Post-doctoral research associate (2023-2024)
Education:
Ph.D. Florida International University (2023)
M.S. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2017)
B.S. Texas A&M University (2014)

Brett Sweezey
Education:
Ph.D. Texas A&M University (2026)
M.S. University of New England (2018)
B.S. Old Dominion University (2013)
Dissertation:
Spatiotemporal movement, habitat use, and trophic ecology of three sympatric shark species at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Paco Fontaine
Education:
Ph.D. Texas A&M University (2026)
M.S. University of the Azores (2022)
B.S. University College Cork (2020)
Dissertation:
Habitat use and trophic ecology of three estuarine predatory fishes in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Signe Hollesen
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University (2026)
B.S. Hawaii Pacific University (2024)
Thesis:
Movement patterns of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and black drum (Pogonias cromis) in a subtropical estuary

Emily Meese
Education:
Ph.D. Texas A&M University (2024)
M.S. California State University, Long Beach (2019)
B.S. California State University, Long Beach (2014)
Dissertation:
Food Web Ecology of a Subtropical Estuary

Travis Richards
Post-doctoral research associate (2020-2022)
Education:
Ph.D. Texas A&M University (2020)
M.S. Florida State University (2014)
B.S. Eckerd College (2007)
Dissertation:
Trophic Structure and Food Web Dynamics of Deep-Pelagic Micronekton in the Gulf of Mexico

Mariah Livernois
Education:
Ph.D. Texas A&M University (2022)
M.S. University of South Alabama (2018)
B.S. Northeastern University (2015)
Dissertation:
Ecological dynamics and connectivity within an assemblage of predatory fishes in coastal Texas

Erin Johnson
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University (2022)
B.S. University of West Florida (2020)
Thesis:
Species composition, relative abundance, and environmental effects on demersal fishes in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Santiago Dominguez-Sanchez
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University (2022)
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur, Mexico
Thesis:
Residency and movement patterns of giant manta ray, Mobula birostris, in Bahia de Banderas, Mexico

John Mohan
Assistant Research Scientist & Post-doctoral Research Associate (2015-2020)
Education:
PhD. University of Texas (2015)
M.S. East Carolina University (2009)
B.S. Penn State University (2006)

Tom Tinhan
Education:
Ph.D. Texas A&M University (2020)
M.S., California State University, Long Beach (2013)
B.S. University of Hawai'i at Manoa (2009)
Dissertation:
Population and Trophic Connectivity of Bull Sharks in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Jeff Plumlee
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University (2018)
B.S. Texas A&M University (2015)
Thesis:
Community structure and feeding ecology of fishes on artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico.

Kaylan Dance
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University (2017)
B.S. Texas A&M University (2012)
Thesis:
Feeding ecology of gray triggerfish and red snapper at artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico

Veronica Quesnell
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University (2017)
B.S. Michigan State University (2012)
Thesis:
Nursery origin and connectivity of swordfish in the North Pacific Ocean

Natalie Spear
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University (2017)
B.S. University of California, Berkeley (2005)
Thesis:
Age and growth validation of the common thresher shark in the northeastern Pacific Ocean