The diverse and collaborative minds behind our research.
Professor of Applied Marine Biology, Tohoku University
I’m a Professor of Applied Marine Biology at Tohoku University in Japan. I also serve as a Unit Leader and Principal Investigator at WPI-AIMEC (Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change). My research spans jellyfish systematics, genomics, and eDNA for marine biodiversity, with a special focus on box jellyfish, and my expertise also extends to molecular biology and fisheries management. Beyond my research, I’m deeply involved in science education and outreach. I also hold a position as a Research Associate at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in the U.S.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Jimena Garcia Rodriguez
Postdoctoral Researcher
My interdisciplinary work investigates the ecological drivers of jellyfish blooms to understand their proliferation, and also examines sexual reproduction using histological methods. When I’m not studying jellyfish, I’m probably trying to perfect my paella or learning new languages and pretending I speak them fluently after two lessons. Originally from Madrid, I believe every good research session deserves good food and beer.
Azad Kamrun Naher (Keya)
Postdoctoral Researcher
My research is focused on molecular ecology of aquatic animals, specially interested in elucidating the genetic variations among aquatic populations due to environmental changes, and also exploring the reproductive behaviours of squid. Besides, I have research experiences in the field of Aquaculture and Aquatic animal health. Hailing from water-rich Bangladesh, I enjoy travel, music, and local cuisine.
PhD Students
Chanikarn Yongstar
PhD student
I’m from Thailand, and a childhood box jellyfish sting inspired me to study these fascinating creatures. I research their venom and build early-warning systems. I love diving to connect with the marine world—and when I’m not doing science, I’m probably gaming. Lol.
Bryson Yerik Torgovitsky
PhD Student
Hello! I’m Bryson, a PhD student from Washington, D.C., studying octopus diversity and fisheries in Tohoku. I also hold the unofficial titles of “lab baker” and turtle caretaker (shoutout to Rapha!). I’m a lifelong tokusatsu fan—my desk makes that very clear.
Master’s Students
Sang Christopher Bobbitt Hanna
Master’s student
I’m researching the effects of Harmful Algal Blooms on Tohoku fisheries. Born in Vietnam and raised in Washington, D.C., I enjoy marine biology, playing sports, cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with friends.
Ayane Totsu
戸津絢音
Master’s student
I wrote my bachelor’s thesis on Olindias jellyfish and now aim to build a haplotype network of the species. I’ve studied English for 10 years—it’s still challenging, but I enjoy improving through conversations with international friends.
Nicolò Ferraris
Master’s student
I’m Nicolo, an Italian MSc Biology student at Wageningen specializing in Molecular Ecology. Currently interning at Tohoku University in Japan, I combine lab work and bioinformatics to study marine biodiversity via Nanopore sequencing. Raised globally, I’m an avid traveler who loves basketball, cooking, and discovering new music.
Undergraduate Students
Thomas Harrison
Undergraduate Student
I am an undergraduate student from the UK researching octopus eDNA in the Tohoku region for my 4th year project. Outside of my studies, I enjoy travelling, sea fishing, and watching football (ALAW MOT).
Staff Menbers
坂本敬子
Administrative Coordinator
I provide administrative support to Professor Ames and other lab members. I am very happy to work surrounded by members from various international backgrounds. We occasionally hold lab parties where we serve Japanese home cooking, Everyone is happy when I make matcha tea, which is my hobby. Everyone in the lab is so kind and wonderful.
Mateus Laste
Web & Field App Developer
Our lab has an amazing team that cultivates a great environment for work, research, and friendship. My background, including running my own business renovating low-income homes in Brazil, has given me a broad skillset. I’m now focused on streamlining our lab processes through custom apps and developing this website. Stay tuned!
Kei Chloe Tan
Lab Manager
I study jellyfish endosymbiosis using barcoding, phylogenetics, and histology. I help raise jellyfish in the lab aquarium 🪼. I love basketball, night cycling, binge-watching shows, and traveling whenever time and budget allow.
Alumni
Master student
Hi, I’m Matt and I did my Masters thesis at the IMS lab, focusing on obtaining DNA from octopus through passive eDNA collection.
Undergraduate
Phylogenetic analysis of the octopus species in Shizugawa Bay.
Undergraduate
Research on Staurozoa, cartoon connoisseur. I like foraging, fermenting, and collecting lapel pins and patches.
Kathleen May Lin Ryan
Exchange Student
I’m from James Cook University, Australia doing a semester exchange at Tohoku Univeristy on the Australian New Colombo Plan Scholarship. I will be finishing my degree at Tohoku University in marine biology and aquaculture. In my free time, I’m either snorkelling, taking photos or video editing.
External Collaborators
Zoologist & Director, NSL, NOAA Fisheries, Office of S&T; Curator of Porifera, Medusozoa, Ctenophora, Smithsonian NMNH
Professor, University of São Paulo; Research Associate, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Professor, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
Professor, School of Biological Sciences, UWA Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia: Perth, WA, AU
Professor, University of Arizona
Post-doctoral Researcher University of Arizona (Miller Lab)
Chief Researcher, Kuroshio Foundation
Professor, Ecology & Marine Science, Univ. of Georgia; Board Member, Key Largo Marine Research Lab, FL
Assistant Professor Evolution, Cell Biology, & Symbiosis Unit Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Toyama
Research Zoologist and Curator, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Associate Professor of Bioinformatics, Marine Laboratory, University of Guam