Christopher Lawson

I am interested in leveraging technology and people power to tackle applied scientific problems. I have a broad research background and interests, ranging from an undergraduate degree in Biotechnology and an Honours degree in Fisheries and Physiology (both from the University of New South Wales). 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 and manage coral reefs. 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.