Prof Andrew Hirst
My research is focused on the ecology, physiology and role of aquatic organisms. I aim to explore fundamental rules and principles of biology and ecology. I often use aquatic species, as these provide exciting opportunities to gain new perspectives on universal questions on the living world. A major motivation has been to develop mechanistic approaches to understand and predict the response of organisms and ecosystems to climate change. With on-going climate warming it is imperative that we understand and where possible mitigate associated impacts.
In developing new perspectives our methodologies include experimentation, fieldwork, conceptualisation and meta-analysis. We have experimental experience with crustaceans, jellyfish, ciliates and phytoplankton.
My publications include the first global descriptions of mortality, fecundity and growth of zooplankton; understanding the role of oxygen availability in controlling maturation size in aquatic species (apparent in the contrasting temperature-size responses and latitudinal-size patterns of air- and water-breathing ectotherms); and derivation of the equations used to measure growth and secondary production of zooplankton.
I am an Honorary Professor at the Centre for Ocean Life, Copenhagen, this is a Villum-Kahn Rasmussen Centre of Excellence, which is focused on studying life in a changing ocean.
Currently I hold a University of Tokyo Professorial Fellowship, and am working at the Atmosphere and Oceans Research Institute in Japan until April 2020.
