IMF Lab Collage

The main objective of the Integrated Marine Fisheries (IMF) Lab is to conduct scientific research that informs marine resource management. Much of our work focuses on better understanding population and community dynamics of groundfishes in the North Pacific. To do so, we rely on field sampling, lab-based research, and statistical modeling techniques. We also place considerable value on collaborating with academic and agency scientists, resource managers, and fishery stakeholders because of its benefit to both process and product. Some common research themes include: evaluating effects of spatial and temporal scales on ecological inferences, enhancing scientific lessons through cross-regional comparisons, and using multiple metrics to improve our understanding about processes of interest.

Madison Bargas processing gut contents
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
We currently have several opportunities for those interested in working on collaborative projects that are specifically designed to support sustainable marine fisheries. Interested parties should review the descriptions linked below and submit the required materials if the project seems like a good fit.

Undergraduate Research Opportunity (OSU students only): Black Rockfish Life History
     — Click on '2024-2025 PROJECTS'
     — Scroll to 'Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) - Newport"


Postgraduate Opportunity: Climate Vulnerability Assessments
     — This opportunity can take the form of faculty research assistant (MS required), PhD student, or postdoctoral scholar.

PhD Opportunity: Ecosystem Modeling

We are also interested in hearing from folks who would like to develop applied research questions or assist with existing projects. Please reach out if that's you!


The IMF Lab is part of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station based at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. We also belong to the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences and College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. Our lab is supported by and works in close collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Resources Program.

The IMF Lab intentionally seeks out and supports diverse identities, backgrounds, and perspectives — doing so improves the quality of our work and enriches our daily lives. Thus, we strongly encourage those who identify with underrepresented and/or historically marginalized groups to apply. Please click here for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement and here for a Code of Conduct that Cheryl Barnes (principal investigator for the IMF Lab) helped create through different collaborative processes. We emphasize the ideas, values, and strategies identified therein in all aspects of our work.

* This website is under active development. Please inquire for more detailed information about student opportunities and resources.