Robert Masaki Hechler (he/him)
Computational ecologist
I'm broadly interested in understanding the processes that shape biodiversity dynamics, in an era of global change.
I use a combination of data synthesis, quantitative and molecular approaches to investigate drivers of population dynamics and ecological resilience. My current projects seek to 1) quantify causes of nonlinear population dynamics, 2) identify mechanisms promoting temporal stability in exploited species, 3) assess wild Pacific salmon health in relation to industrial activities and 4) develop non-invasive molecular methods to do so.
I'm currently a PhD candidate and Vanier Scholar working with Dr. Martin Krkosek at the University of Toronto (Dept.of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology). Much of my PhD work is also conducted in partnership with the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Fisheries Group and Salmon Coast. I previously completed an MSc with Dr. Melania Cristescu at McGill University (Dept. of Biology), and a BSc at the University of British Columbia.