Eric completed his MSc and PhD at James Cook University in Australia, where he developed a strong foundation in marine science and coral reef ecology. He has a broad range of interests within reef fish ecology, with a primary focus on how habitat associations, habitat quality, and species-specific ecological roles shape reef fish communities and population processes. His research spans fish–habitat interactions, the effects of habitat degradation on reef fish communities, and the mechanisms underpinning population dynamics, alongside interests in larval biology, fish behaviour, and the behavioural and chemical ecology of predator–prey interactions.

Eric is currently a researcher with the Reef Ecology Lab and a recipient of a competitive R&D grant from the KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative (KCRI), the world’s largest coral reef restoration program, based at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. His postdoctoral research focuses on integrating reef fish into coral restoration by identifying key species and ecological interactions that influence coral survival and restoration success. This includes quantifying the roles of fishes in coral predation and algae removal, developing scalable biological solutions such as herbivore-based algae control (“blenny hotels”), and assessing how restoration structures support fish recruitment and community development. Through this work, he aims to deliver practical, fish-inclusive strategies that improve coral survival, reduce maintenance demands, and enhance the ecological functioning of restored reef systems.