François Thoral

I am a postdoctoral fellow between the University of Waikato and Earth Sciences New Zealand (ex NIWA), I am currently based in Wellington, New Zealand.

Within the Tau Ki Ākau - Ridge to Reef - research project, my research investigates the consequences of extreme events for coastal ecosystems and in a multi-stressor context, such as changes in water clarity, coastal darkening, marine darkwaves, and increasing marine heatwaves. I am especially interested in the consequences of marine darkwaves, and finding out ways we can prevent them. To pursue it, I combine satellite remote sensing, optical modelling of underwater light and physiology. Broadly speaking, I am interested in bridging theoretical and applied ecology. Beyond academic research, I am interested in making scientific knowledge useful for people and communities, alongside other Knowledge Systems.

Previously, I was a PhD Student at the University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch, New Zealand, and did my Bachelor and Masters at Aix-Marseille University, France.