Colony Island Network Design and Implementation (CINDI)

David Essian is a postdoctoral research associate working with HRI Endowed Chair for Conservation and Biodiversity, Dr. Dale Gawlik. David completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Biology at Northern Michigan University, and he obtained his Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University. During his master’s, David studied how a particular type of food poisoning affects birds in the Great Lakes. For his Ph.D., he created a complex model that predicts where and when birds can find food, based on how water levels change. This model is especially useful for people who manage natural resources because it can help them make decisions that support bird conservation. David’s research has also found that the availability of food and where it is located can influence when and where birds choose to breed.

At HRI, David is now involved in a project called CINDI, which aims to help those in charge of restoring island habitats along the Gulf of Mexico. He is developing a tool that will help these decision-makers identify the most important areas to focus on for restoration efforts.

This innovative project (CINDI) is about creating a special tool to help people involved in restoring island habitats decide where and how to do their work most effectively. Using detailed data and the latest methods, Dr. Essian is working to change the way we protect our coastlines, aiming to keep important natural areas safe for the future.