Originally from Arlington, Texas, Sophia moved to Oahu to pursue her BS degree in Marine
Biology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. As an undergraduate student, Sophia conducted
research at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology in the Coral Resilience Lab where she
studied coral spawning and growth for restoration efforts. Now as a PhD student at the Hawaiʻi
Institute of Marine Biology in the Marine Ecological Theory Lab, Sophia is expanding her study
of reef ecosystems to include coral reef fisheries and the complex social-ecological systems
within which they are situated. She will be mentored by her academic advisor, Dr. Lisa
McManus, as well as scientists and managers through ongoing collaborations with the Heʻeia
National Estuarine Research Reserve and NOAA Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center.

Education
BS Marine Biology, University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa

Research Interests
Broadly, Sophia is interested in using models to guide the effective management of coral reef
ecosystems and their fisheries. Her current research will explore Hawaiʻi’s nearshore fisheries
across historical and future timescales, investigating how management, climate change, and
predator-prey interactions shape these important resources using simulation modeling.