PhD Student IGERT Global Change, Marine Biodiversity and Society

R. Cotton Rockwood

 
Undergraduate Degree:  B.S. Biology: Neurobiology, Physiology, Behavior

Undergraduate University:  UC Davis

Advisor:  Lisa Ballance

Cotton Rockwood is studying the ecology and conservation of seabirds.  Cotton is interested the intersection of international law with conservation in the Pacific Ocean.  He hopes to forward a holistic approach to seabird conservation embodied by international cooperation and based in sound science.  He is currently working on a gap analysis of legal protections for seabirds and an holistic assessment of threats to seabird species in the Pacific.  He hopes to build on these projects to produce a geospatial representation of impacts to seabirds and recommendations for a more efficient portfolio of conservations strategies and investments.

Research Interests:
•    sea bird ecology
•    physiological and biochemical effects of pollutants
•    natural capital concepts
•    behavioral, genetic and physiological traits allowing adaptability to human stressors
•    physiological and behavioral effects of light and noise pollution
•    human overpopulation

Publications:
Lowry, D.B., R.C. Rockwood, J.H. Willis. (2008). “Ecological reproductive isolation of coast and inland races of Mimulus guttatus”. Evolution. 62(9): 2196-2214.