Johanna L K Wren, PhD

Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Email: johanna.wren@noaa.gov

University of Hawaii Mnoa Phone: (808) 384-3791
1000 Pope Road Website: johannawren.weebly.com
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

EDUCATION
Ph.D. Oceanography (with specialization in Marine Biology) 2009 2016
Dept. of Oceanography, University of Hawaii Mnoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Dissertation: Reef fish connectivity in the Hawaiian archipelago: A biophysical modeling approach.
Advisor: Dr. Robert J. Toonen

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology 2002 2005

Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, HI, USA.

Associates of Arts 2002

St. Louis Community College, St Louis, MO, USA. Honors

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Analyst Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics 2016 present
Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research
NOAA fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI
Research focusing on identifying oceanographic drivers behind ecological patters. Analyzing
fisheries and environmental data, including logbook data, remotely sensed data, and
oceanographic model outputs to identify climate indicators.

Research Assistant 2009 2016

Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii Mnoa
Ph.D. research designing and conducting studies in modeled larval connectivity of coral reef fish in
Hawaii. Examined larval shore fish distributions in Hawaii through trawl surveys, ground-truthed
a bio-physical transport model with field data, and modeled larval connectivity of various fishes in
Hawaii and how connectivity is impacted by climate patterns. Collaborating with teams of
researchers to combine modeled larval dispersal with in situ recruitment data and genetic
connectivity.

Johanna L K Wren Page 1 of 8

Research Assistant 2008 2009
Sven Lovn Centre for Marine Science Kristineberg, University of Gothenburg Sweden
Climate change research on echinoderm larvae. Research focused on effects of ocean acidification
and temperature on development, growth, and feeding in two urchin species. Experiments
involved spawning, culturing, and conducting feeding experiments, along with analyzing larvae
using stereo and confocal microscopy.

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Wren, JLK and JJ Polovina. (in prep, draft available upon request) Development of a recruitment
index for bigeye tuna in the north-pacific allows forecasting of fisheries catch.

Hutchinson, M, D Coffey, K Holland, D Itano, S Kohin, B LeRoy, R Vetter, A Williams, JLK Wren. (in
prep) Understanding habitat use and movement behavior of juvenile silky sharks in the Pacific
Ocean to drive conservation strategies.

Wren, JLK, DR Kobayashi, Y Jia, RJ Toonen. (2016) Modeled population connectivity across the
Hawaiian Archipelago. PLoS ONE 11(12): e0167626.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0167626
Times Cited: 1

Bruno, BC, JLK Wren, K Noa, E Wood-Charlson, J Ayau, S Leon Soon, H Needham, C A Choy. (2016)
Summer Bridge program establishes nascent pipeline to expand and diversify Hawaii's
undergraduate geoscience enrollment. Oceanography 29(2): 286-292.
Times Cited: 1

Selkoe, KA, OE Gaggiotti, E Treml, JLK Wren, MK Donovan, Hawaii Reef Connectivity Consortium, RJ
Toonen. (2016) Conserving genetic diversity of whole communities: identifying patterns and
landscape drivers. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 283 20160354;
doi:10.1098/rspb.2016.0354.
Times Cited: 7

Wren, JLK, and DR Kobayashi. (2016) Exploration of the "larval pool": development and ground-
truthing of a larval transport model off leeward Hawaii. PeerJ 4:e1636.
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1636
Times Cited: 3

Bruno, BC and JLK Wren. (2014) Climate change, sea level rise and ocean acidification., The Earth
Scientist, 30(1):9-11

DeMartini, EE, JLK Wren, DR Kobayashi. (2013) Persistent spatial patterns of recruitment in a guild
of Hawaiian reef fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 485:165-179.
Times Cited: 11

Johanna L K Wren Page 2 of 8

Rivera M, KR Andrews, DR Kobayashi, JLK Wren, C Kelley, GK Roderick, RJ Toonen. (2011) Genetic
analyses and simulations of larval dispersal reveal distinct populations and directional
connectivity across the range of the Hawaiian Grouper (Epinephelus quernus). Journal of Marine
Biology, 11:1-11.
Times cited: 29

Stumpp, M, JLK Wren, F Melzner, MC Thorndyke, ST Dupont. (2011) CO2 induced seawater
acidification impacts sea urchin larval development I: Elevated metabolic rates decrease scope
for growth and induce developmental delay. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A:
Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 160(3):331-340.
Times Cited: 201

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ (2017). Larval dispersal in the Hawaiian Archipelago:
challenges, insights, and next steps. XIth International Larval Biology Symposium, Honolulu, HI.
(Invited talk)

Wren JLK & Toonen RJ (2016). Effect of Extremes: how El Nio events affect reef fish population
connectivity in the Hawaiian Islands. Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, LA. (Talk)

Wren JLK & Toonen RJ (2015). Havent I seen you here before? Effects of El Nio on larval reef fish
dispersal. Sea Grant graduate trainee presentations, Hanauma Bay, HI. (Talk)

Wren JLK & Toonen RJ (2015). Effect of Extremes: how El Nio events affect reef fish population
connectivity in the Hawaiian Islands. Graduate Climate Conference, Woods Hole, MA. (Talk)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ (2015). Connectivity in Hawaii: a methods comparison.
Conference of Biological Oceanography Graduate Students (CBOGS) (Talk)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ. (2015). Comparison of two oceanographic circulation
products on modeled population connectivity in the Hawaiian Archipelago. 40 th Annual Albert L.
Testers Memorial Symposium, Honolulu, HI. (Talk)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ (2014). Going with the flow? Larval connectivity in Hawaii.
Sea Grant graduate trainee presentations, Hanauma Bay, HI. (Talk)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ (2014). Modeling and ground-truthing the reef fish larval pool
around the Hawaiian Islands. Symposium on Kona's (West Hawaii) Marine Ecosystem: Trends
and Status, Kona, HI. (Talk)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ (2014). Population connectivity modeling in Hawaii with a
focus on Maui Nui. Hawaii Conservation Conference, Honolulu, HI. (Talk)

Johanna L K Wren Page 3 of 8

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ (2014). Modeling and ground-truthing the reef fish larval pool
around the Hawaiian Islands. 39th Annual Albert L. Tester Memorial Symposium, Honolulu, HI.
(Talk)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ (2014). Modeling and ground-truthing the reef fish larval pool
around the Hawaiian Islands. Ocean Sciences Meeting, Honolulu, HI. (Poster)

Wren JLK and Bruno BC (2014). So, what does a geoscientist really do? Ocean Sciences Meeting,
Honolulu, HI. (Poster)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR and Toonen RJ (2013). Modeling and ground-truthing the reef fish larval pool
around the Hawaiian Islands. 94th Annual Meeting of the Western Society of Naturalists, Oxnard,
CA. (Talk)

Bruno BC, Wren JLK and Ayau JF (2013). C-MORE Education and Ocean TECH. Second Hawaii
Environmental Education Symposium Environmental Literacy: In and Out of the Classroom,
Honolulu, HI. (Talk)

Wren JLK, DeMartini EE and Kobayashi DR (2013). Persistent spatial patterns of recruitment in a guild
of Hawaiian reef fishes. 38th Annual Albert L. Tester Memorial Symposium, Honolulu, HI. (Talk)

Wren JLK, DeMartini EE and Kobayashi DR (2013). Persistent spatial patterns of recruitment in a guild
of Hawaiian reef fishes. Conference of Biological Oceanography Graduate Students (CBOGS)
(Talk)

Wren JLK and Kobayashi DR (2012). Distribution of reef fish larvae off west Hawaii. 37th Annual Albert
L. Tester Memorial Symposium, Honolulu, HI. (Talk)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR, Jia Y, Toonen, RJ (2012). Seasonal and spatial patterns of larval dispersal
for Zebrasoma flavescens along West Hawaii. First JIMAR/PIFSC symposium, Honolulu, HI, USA.
(Poster)

Wren JLK, Kobayashi DR, Jia Y and Toonen RJ (2011). Larval dispersal simulation along West Hawaii
show high settlement from Kona populations and strong seasonality for the region. Symposium
on Kona's Marine Ecosystem: Past, Present, and Future. Kona, HI, USA. (Talk)

Wren JLK, Thorndyke M, Dupont S (2010). Impact of CO2-driven climate change on sea urchin early
life history combined effects of ocean acidification, temperature increase and food
concentration. 35th Annual Albert L. Tester Memorial Symposium. Honolulu, HI, USA. (Talk)

Wren JLK, Thorndyke M, Dupont S (2009). Impact of CO2-driven climate change on sea urchin early
life history. SETAC Europe 19th Annual Meeting. Gothenburg, Sweden. (Talk)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Wren JLK. (2015) Inspiring community college students to pursue a career in ocean and earth
sciences. Contributed to SOESTblog about teaching and outreach events. https://goo.gl/QwC0Sz

Johanna L K Wren Page 4 of 8

Wren JLK and BC Bruno (2013) Ocean TECH - A new project to inspire middle and high school students
to pursue STEM careers. OCB Newsletter. 6(2):12. http://goo.gl/uduvQh

Dupont ST, JLK Wren, O Ortega-Martinez, M Stumpp, F Melzner and M Thorndyke (2009) Impact of
CO2-driven ocean acidification on echinoderm larval survival is species-specific and not easy to
predict a working hypothesis. Proceeding of the 13th International Echinoderm Meeting.
Published Abstract

Wren J, Thorndyke M, Dupont S (2009) Impact of CO2-driven climate change on sea urchin early life
history - combined effects of ocean acidification, temperature increase and food concentration,
7-8. In SETAC 2009. Published Abstract.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS

2016 Graduate Student Organization Travel Award $200
2015 Department of Oceanography Achievement Scholarship $1000
2015 SeaGrant Travel Award $1800
2015 Colonel Willys E. Lord, DVM & Sandina L. Lord Endowed Scholarship $1000
2015 Graduate Climate Conference Travel Award $300
2014 Graduate Student Organization Travel Award $300
2013 Hawaii Environmental Education Alliance Symposium Registration Scholarship
2004-2005 National Deans List Hawaii Pacific University
2002-2004 Phi Theta Kappa Scholastic Scholarship
2001 Jonsson Award for Best Principle of Biology Paper St. Louis Community College

FIELD EXPERIENCE
Cruises NOAA - Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC)
May 2017 West Hawaii IEA cruise SE1704 15 days
R/V Oscar Elton Sette - Midwater trawl assistant J. Gove (NOAA/PIFSC) chief scientist

Apr. 2017 Leeward Oahu Pelagic Ecosystem Characterization SE1703 10 days

R/V Oscar Elton Sette - Midwater trawl lead D. Kobayashi (NOAA/PIFSC) chief scientist

Sep. 2016 West Hawaii IEA cruise SE1606 7 days

R/V Oscar Elton Sette - Midwater trawl assistant J. Gove (NOAA/PIFSC) chief scientist

Jun. 2013 West Hawaii IEA cruise SE1304 7 days

R/V Oscar Elton Sette - Midwater trawl lead. - P. Woodworth-Jefcoats (NOAA/PIFSC) chief sci.

Aug. 2012 Life History Program SE1206 13 days

Johanna L K Wren Page 5 of 8

 R/V Oscar Elton Sette Midwater trawl assistant R. Humphreys (NOAA/PIFSC) chief scientist

Jul. 2011 West Hawaii Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) SE1104 13 days
R/V Oscar Elton Sette Midwater trawl assistant E. Howell (NOAA/PIFSC) chief scientist

Feb. 2011 Ecosystem and Oceanography Division SE1102 14 days

R/V Oscar Elton Sette Bottomfish Survey and BotCam assistant D. Kobayashi (NOAA/PIFSC)
chief scientist

Field Work University of Hawaii - Mnoa

Jan. 2011 Kona Algae survey 5 days
Filtered sea water at survey sites along the Kona coast of Hawaii Island from small boat, visual
invasive algae surveys in small boat harbors along Kona coast.

Dec. 2010 Bottomfish Survey Drazen lab 1 day

R/V Huki Pono Botcam Operations: deploying and retrieving bottom cameras systems from
small research vessel.

WORKSHOPS AND SUMMER COURSES

Software Carpentry Workshop Jun 22-23, 2015
University of Hawaii at Mnoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.

Teaching Science as Inquire (TSI) and Communicating Ocean Science Training Apr 24-25, 2015
University of Hawaii at Mnoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.

Biomechanics, Ecological Physiology, and Genetics of Intertidal Communities Jun 15-Jul 10, 2009
PISCO//Stanford University//Hopkins Marine Station. Pacific Grove, CA, USA.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant Fall 2012
OCN 201: Science of the Sea, Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii - Manoa
Instructed and led weekly lab sessions, graded assignments and exams. Planned and led two field
trips.

Mentor 2015 2016

Global Environmental Sciences undergraduates, University of Hawaii Mnoa
Mentored two undergraduate students through their freshman and junior years in the
Oceanography Departments undergraduate program Global Environmental Sciences (GES),
consisting of monthly meetings to help students achieve short term and long term academic and
personal goals.

Johanna L K Wren Page 6 of 8

OUTREACH
Volunteer Food web module, NOAA science camp July 2017
Assisted with hands on activities for 30?? students in middle school to inspire them to pursue a
career in science. The plankton module focused on life as a plankton, microscopy with live
plankton, and how to sample plankton.

Volunteer Plankton module, NOAA science camp July 2016

Assisted with hands on activities for 30?? students in middle school to inspire them to pursue a
career in science. The plankton module focused on life as a plankton, microscopy with live
plankton, and how to sample plankton.

Program Manager and Lead Instructor, Ocean TECH Jan 2013-Jun 2014
Ocean TECH (Technology Expands Career Horizons) is an NSF funded program (P.I. Barbara Bruno)
that engages students in hands-on activities while exposing them to ocean and earth science,
technology, and careers. The project goals are to improve ocean and earth science literacy and to
inspire Hawaiis students, most of whom are from underrepresented groups, to pursue ocean and
earth science careers. As program manager, I forged partnerships with the Center for Multicultural
Student Services and GEAR UP Mnoa, designed career flyers, provided content for Ocean TECH
website, planned and executed a special STEM focus session at the universitys annual Career Fair,
and updated C-MORE educational activities to fit common core and ocean literacy principles. As lead
instructor, I organized and led 10+ events with 400+ students total, as well as planned and led four
hands-on science presentations for 100+ students at each event. http://oceantech.soest.hawaii.edu/

Co-organizer and Instructor, Summer Bridge Week July 2013, 2014, 2015
Co-organized a week-long outreach event in partnership with Kapiolani Community College STEM
program for the past three summers. The week consists of two field trips which I helped organize
and lead, organized and invited 20+ professionals in the ocean and earth sciences for a networking
mixer with students, and organized and led ice breaker activities with students.

N Kama Kai - Dept. of Oceanography Graduate Student Organization 2011-2016

Served as officer on Awards Committee 2011-2013, Space Committee 2014-2015, Biological
Oceanography Division Representative 2015-2016, and as President of N Kama Kai 2013-2014

SOEST Open House 2009, 2013, 2015

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) biannual open house spans two days
and attracts more than 7500 visitors, including students and teachers from Oahu schools and the
general public. I assisted the Sea Level Center with activities on ice melting and climate change. I
staffed booths and engaged students in activities about life at sea and marine microbes.

Pacific Symposium for Science and Sustainability 2003-2004, 2009-2012

Served as an event assistant for two years, and a moderator of student presentation sessions for
four years.

Johanna L K Wren Page 7 of 8

SKILLS
Computer
R, python, Ferret, Linux (bash), Generic Mapping Tools (GMT), Matlab.

Languages
Swedish (Native), English (Fluent), German (Beginner)

Johanna L K Wren Page 8 of 8