Ongoing Research

The Majoris Lab studies how environmental conditions, behavior, physiology, and development shape the dispersal and ecology of marine fishes. Current research areas include:

1. Dispersal plasticity in coral reef fishes. We study how parental habitat quality and early developmental conditions influence larval behavior, physiology, morphology, and other traits associated with dispersal. Current work focuses primarily on clown anemonefish (Amphiprion percula) in Papua New Guinea and in controlled laboratory experiments.
2. Animal behavior and automated video analysis. We use behavioral experiments, underwater video, and computer-vision tools to quantify larval swimming, orientation, activity, parental care, and other behaviors. Undergraduate projects may involve processing videos, validating automated measurements, or investigating variation among individuals, families, species, and environmental conditions.
3. Larval development and aquaculture. We investigate how growth, developmental timing, morphology, swimming performance, metabolism, diet, and water quality affect the survival and performance of larval marine fishes. This work aims both to answer fundamental ecological questions and to improve marine aquaculture practices.
4. Invasion ecology of marine fishes. We study how introduced fishes establish and spread across new environments. Current projects examine the ecology of the invasive regal damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos) in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean using morphology, diet, stable isotopes, otoliths, and comparisons among natural reefs and offshore structures.
5. Early-life ecology of coastal and estuarine fishes. We examine when and how larval and juvenile fishes enter estuarine habitats and how environmental conditions influence their growth, condition, and community composition.

Specific opportunities vary with the stage of each project. Undergraduate researchers may contribute through laboratory experiments, animal husbandry, behavioral-video analysis, microscopy and image analysis, sample processing, data management, or statistical analysis. Students are also encouraged to develop their own research questions within the lab’s broader research program.

Get In Touch

If your research interests and career goals align with the work of the Majoris Lab, and you can commit at least 10 hours per week, please email Dr. Majoris to inquire about current opportunities.
In your email, please address the following questions:

1. How do your research interests and career goals align with the work of the Majoris Lab?
2. Which research area described above interests you most, and what questions within that area would you be interested in exploring?
3. What is your major, current GPA, and anticipated graduation year?
4. How many hours per week can you commit, and on which days and times are you available?
5. How many semesters do you anticipate being able to participate in research?

Please attach a current résumé or CV. Thoughtful responses to these questions will help us assess whether your interests, availability, and goals align with current opportunities in the lab.