It all started when…

My fascination with the ocean began in a small coastal village in Sri Lanka, where my father's enchanting tales of his favorite reef and its intriguing inhabitants became my reality. Plunging into the vibrant depths for the first time, I found myself in an alien world, surrounded by the living portraits of creatures I'd previously seen only in books. That mesmerizing experience planted the seed of passion for marine life that guided me to study Marine Biology at the University of Hawai'i. Post-graduation, I joined the Marine Debris Team at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where we tackled the grim reality of human pollution, removing 57 tons of discarded fishing gear from the coral reefs in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. My commitment to the oceanic world propelled me to join NOAA's benthic team, studying the health and demographics of corals across various Pacific islands. This pursuit of knowledge led me to my graduate studies, focusing on the interconnection between humans and nature in social-ecological integrated systems. As my journey evolved from the Sri Lankan waters to the complex connections of global marine life, the wonder of the ocean remains a constant, fueling my drive to explore and protect its majestic realms.

My research...

My research interests converge on the intersection of remote sensing applications and social-ecological systems. Specifically, I am intrigued by how a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem dynamics can bolster methods that are both ecologically and socially pertinent. I am drawn to the unexpected overlaps and mutual insights these two distinct disciplines can offer.

What I've written...

My peer-reviewed publications are listed here. Feel free to email me for copies of any of them. 

Contact me…

Email:

aviv@hawaii.edu

Address:

Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
PO Box 1346 (for US Postal Service)
46-007 Lilipuna Road (For all other carriers)
Kaneohe, HI 96744 USA