Derek Aoki

PhD Student at FAU @HarborBranch | Researcher for @upwellturtles & @loggerheadMC | Studying leatherbacks in Florida | CA ➡️ CO ➡️ 🇩🇪/🇨🇻 ➡️ FL

[Upwell Turtles @UpwellTurtles]

#Newresearch "Satellite Tracking of Head-Started Juvenile Green #SeaTurtles Reveals Release Effects and an Ontogenetic Shift," published in @MDPI_Animals, lead-authored by Upwell researcher Dr. Nicole Barbour as part of her doctoral work at @umces
https://t.co/rLunoH2Oi7

[Derek Aoki @DerekAoki]

Was honored to present our work on combining #satellite and #acoustic #telemetry to monitor post-nesting movements of NWA #leatherbacks at #ISTS41_Cartagena
@HarborBranch @LoggerheadMC @UpwellTurtles @OceanTracking @FACT_Network @FAUResearch

[Upwell Turtles @UpwellTurtles]

Have you heard of the Chonk Chart? How about noninvasive aerial photogrammetry and 3D modeling to estimate the body condition and body mass of nesting #leatherback #seaturtles? Learn more in researcher @DerekAoki's poster for #ISTS41 with @FAUHarbor @LoggerheadMC @DigitalLife3D

[Derek Aoki @DerekAoki]

Excited to share my first publication as 1st author in @MEPS_IR!! We used a forensic analysis to ID potential shark predators of sea turtles in the southeast USA
#shark #seaturtle #predatorprey #forensicanalysis
@LoggerheadMC @NOAAFisheries
@HarborBranch https://t.co/u0ioTViZj1

[Digital Life @DigitalLife3D]

As of today, the #leatherback #seaturtle model is available for non-commercial use! Thanks to our collaborators @UpwellTurtles and @LoggerheadMC, and to @johnsonlmCG for doing a fantastic job reconstructing this model.

Visit https://t.co/xtzs53OBUZ!

[seaturtleweek @seaturtleweek]

This week's #SeaTurtleScientistSaturday, Dr. Justin Perrault, Director of Research at @LoggerheadMC, trains his team of night-time research technicians on blood collection protocols from a nesting leatherback sea turtle on Juno Beach.

Photo: Christian Del Rosario (FWC MTP 205)

[seaturtleweek @seaturtleweek]

Did you know that the leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all sea turtles, & one of the largest reptiles on earth? It ranges in size from 4-8 feet in length (1.2 - 2.4 meters) & weighs a whopping 500-2,000 pounds (225 - 900 kg).

#seaturtle #funfactfriday
Video: Brad Nahill

[Derek Aoki @DerekAoki]

Had an amazing time presenting about our leatherback acoustic tagging research at the #2022OTNSymposium
@HarborBranch @LoggerheadMC @UpwellTurtles @FACT_Network @OceanTracking

[Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch @HarborBranch]

#FAUHarborBranch doctoral student, Derek Aoki, is developing a technique with machine learning algorithms to assess body mass and condition for nesting females using drone photography.

Read more: https://t.co/eR00J8K6ab

[Upwell Turtles @UpwellTurtles]

This article gives 10 ways we can prevent sea turtles from becoming bycatch - and we love the emphasis on leveraging research and technology for effective conservation!
https://t.co/sDafIwwo3k

[Upwell Turtles @UpwellTurtles]

Tune in to the @NBCNews @TODAYshow tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM EST to see Upwell and FAU Marine Lab release tagged juvenile leatherbacks on live tv!
Photo by @AbernethyScuba

[seaturtleweek @seaturtleweek]

This week’s #SeaTurtleScientistSaturday is Derek Aoki, a PhD student in the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Medicine & Research Program at FL Atlantic University. His research seeks to determine how natural & anthropogenic factors affect the south FL nesting leatherback aggregation.

[seaturtleweek @seaturtleweek]

This week’s #TurtleTuesday photo catches a glimpse of a nesting leatherback with a PhD student. Check back Saturday to learn about our scientist of the week! Photo Credit: Christian Del Rosario #seaturtle #leatherback #beach #ocean #science

[Derek Aoki @DerekAoki]

The #leatherback #seaturtle tends to grow at a faster rate than their hard shell counterparts. They can transform from a 4cm hatchling to a 155cm adult in 9-15 years!!

📷 Taken under authorized research activities FWC MTP-22-205

[Upwell Turtles @UpwellTurtles]

As #leatherback nesting season winds down in #Florida, we must remember that conservation efforts don't end here. Threats like bycatch, ship strike, & #plasticpollutiona await, which is why Upwell works to protect #seaturtles at sea. 📷by Derek Aoki @LoggerheadMC @HarborBranch

[Derek Aoki @DerekAoki]

It's finally time for (in my humble opinion) the best day of #SeaTurtleWeek, #leatherback day!!
They are the largest and most widely distributed sea turtle, and are the focus of my PhD research.

📷: Christian Del Rosario
Photo taken under MTP-21-205

[Derek Aoki @DerekAoki]

Florida #leatherbacks are part of the endangered Northwest Atlantic subpopulation. By pairing acoustic and satellite tags, we aim to identify critical internesting and foraging habitats to support their #conservation
@UpwellTurtles @LoggerheadMC @FAUResearch
#SeaTurtleWeek

[Upwell Turtles @UpwellTurtles]

Why is the light in this photo red? Red lights emit a very narrow portion of the visible light spectrum, so researchers use them when working in the field to be less intrusive to nesting #seaturtles and #hatchlings.
📷 Derek Aoki(@HarborBranch), @LoggerheadMC

[Upwell Turtles @UpwellTurtles]

Adult female #leatherbacks reach breeding age after around 15 years at sea. Though nesting beaches play a key role in reproduction, we must also protect #turtles at sea so that they can make it back to the #beach to lay nests for future generations.
📷 Derek Aoki @LoggerheadMC

[Upwell Turtles @UpwellTurtles]

PhD student & Upwell Researcher Derek Aoki is working with @LoggerheadMC @harborbranch & @UMassAmherst to develop an algorithm that assesses the body condition of #leatherbacks using aerial photos like this. It could then be used to collect data in open ocean foraging habitats.