J. Jacob Levenson

The impact of my work is to develop capacity in ocean resource management where it is needed most and to drive novel approaches to understanding the secret lives of marine animals by enabling the study of their movement, physiology, and behavior even when they are far below the surface and out of view.

I work on innovation in animal movement science to enable effective decision-making for offshore energy and mineral projects. Energy projects coming online in the next decade represent the most significant planned human-directed change the marine environment has ever experienced, and innovative approaches in movement science will reveal how such changes might impact marine species and those who depend upon them.

I also work on innovation in ocean conservation to help coastal communities in the Caribbean. These communities are already facing the impacts of climate change, such as intensified hurricanes and regular coral bleaching events. My work through Oceans Forward brings marine conservation capacity to people who rely on the ocean for their livelihoods.

Animal movement research isn’t just about tracking animals; it’s about understanding their world and how they inhabit it. Historically, the study of the movement and behavior of marine animals was limited to what could be observed from a boat or, later, a submersible vessel. Given the enormity of the ocean and the immense distances some marine species can travel, this limited observational capacity meant that what we understand of marine animal movement and behavior is only a tiny snapshot at best.

My work lies at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and wildlife research. The boundary I’m pushing is the surface of the ocean, and being able to look more closely into its depths and into the lives of the species who live there. I work on developing and deploying advanced sensors for animal tags that are smaller, smarter, and more cost-effective than ever before. These innovations are allowing us to unlock new levels of accuracy in studying animal behavior, physiology, and their larger role in marine ecosystem dynamics. I’ve partnered with engineers at NASA to use the cutting edge of satellite technology to expand the reach of animal tracking. I’ve partnered with robotics experts and academic scientists to adapt tag technology to a wider range of species. Every tag deployment is a step toward uncovering secrets of our planet and its inhabitants, and transforming how we conserve and interact with our shared environment.