Academia Sinica

Fish Life History Laboratory

Hui-Yu Wang
https://iofish.weebly.com/

Research Field

Biology

Introduction

Dr. Hui-Yu Wang’s research interests include fish population ecology and mathematical modeling. She has developed models to assess the changes in population abundance of fishery species in Taiwan and globally. Previously a faculty member at the Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University (2011-2022), Dr. Wang has recently become Associate Research Fellow at the Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, since September 2022.

Dr. Wang's extensive body of work encompasses diverse facets, ranging from marine fish biology and spatial distribution to the profound impacts of warming on these populations. Remarkably, her research findings have not only contributed to academic discourse but have also found resonance in the public sphere, cited in crucial discussions during Fishery Agency hearings by civil organizations.

In addition to her groundbreaking research, Dr. Hui-Yu Wang is a recognized educator, sharing her expertise in biological modeling, biostatistics, fisheries biology, and population ecology. Her commitment to excellence in teaching has been acknowledged with the prestigious NTU Teaching Excellence Award in both 2014 and 2021, a testament to her unwavering dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering academic excellence.

Our research focuses on the impact of ocean warming on fish populations. A significant milestone in our work is the recent publication in Nature Communications, wherein we assessed the effects of ocean warming on 332 species in the Indo-Pacific Oceans (Wang et al. 2020). Our findings elucidate that warming will lead to divergent effects on fishes: while smaller, shorter-lived fish populations face a decline in their population growth rates, their larger, longer-lived counterparts experience an upswing.

We persist in our commitment in understanding the effects of warming on fish populations through developing advanced ecological models, which serve as crucial tools in unraveling the mechanisms underlying the effects of warming on diverse fish species. Aiming for a comprehensive perspective, we are also actively gathering life history data on a variety of small nearshore fish species across subtropical and tropical regions in the western Pacific Ocean, known for its rich fish diversity.

Looking ahead, our research ambitiously extends to assessing the influence of warming on the life history and population growth rates of these diverse species. Beyond this, our commitment to conservation effectiveness takes center stage as we delve into the effects of warming on the population dynamics of the Masu salmon, spanning both Japan and Taiwan. In each exploration, our mission is to deepen the understanding of these intricate ecosystems, paving the way for informed conservation strategies in the face of a changing climate.


Research Topics

1. Assessing the effects of temperature on energy allocation and population abundance change in fishes
2. Assessing the effects of warming on life histories and population growth rates of small, nearshore fish species in the western Pacific Ocean
3. Assessing the effects of warming on life histories and population growth rates of Masu salmon
 


Honor

National Taiwan University Outstanding Teaching Award 2014, 2021


Educational Background

BS in Zoology, National Taiwan University, 1995-1999
MS in Natural Resources & Environment, University of Michigan, 2000-2003
PhD in Natural Resources & Environment, University of Michigan, 2005-2009


2 Vacancies

Job Description

Interns will help conduct cross-latitude fish sampling and develop ecological modeling analyses

Preferred Intern Education Level

Undergraduate or graduate students

Skill sets or Qualities

Basic knowledge of fish ecology and computer programming