Christopher Lawson

I am interested in leveraging technology to tackle ‘big’ and applied scientific problems. I have a broad research background and interests, ranging from biotechnology to hydrodynamics. My previous work has focused on the effects of changing environmental conditions on marine ecosystems/species and human’s relationships with them, including fisheries and elasmobranch megafauna. I have worked heavily on the energetics of elasmobranchs, including how changes in temperature will affect individuals and populations, using tools including bioenergetic models, biologging with miniaturised sensors, and biomechanic/hydrodynamic models.

My current research examines novel techniques to monitor coral reefs, primarily through a partnership with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef. I am developing tools that will optimise the use of citizen science and Artificial Intelligence to enable broadscale monitoring of coral reefs. This includes methods of in-water sampling, as well as analysis tools to provide rapid, accurate and scalable monitoring of coral reefs powered by local communities. I am using the Great Barrier Reef as a case study to develop tools that can be applied globally.