Daniel Pygas​

MSc Research Candidate 

Email: daniel.pygas@sydney.edu.au

Telephone: +61 0418 944 634

Address: 

School of Life and Environmental sciences

Science Road, Edgeworth David Building (A11)

The University of Sydney | NSW | 2006

I had the privilege of joining the CORALASSIST team during my Masters by Research at the University of Sydney. Here I work with Dr. Renata Ferrari and Dr. Will Figueira and several other postgraduates on research into the role of remotely derived measures of habitat structural complexity in marine ecology. Together we are using photogrammetry and 3D modelling techniques to measure in-situ the growth rates of the corals being studied by CORALASSIST. This has the potential to provide far more accurate and versatile measures of coral growth than traditional methods. Data on coral growth that we obtain will help us to examine energy trade-offs in corals with various degrees of thermo-tolerance and advance our understanding of how corals can adapt to changes in their environment.

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As well as my research interests, I am an environmental scientist and consultant involved in the assessment of anthropogenic disturbance in a range of aquatic environments. I aim to bridge gaps between new research and its application by providing science-based advice to those involved with the conservation of tropical marine to alpine freshwater ecosystems. Wherever possible I take a quantitative approach, aligning my interests in research, conservation, and ecological modelling.