Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou

Researcher

Born and raised in London, England, Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou spent his early years snorkeling in the warm waters of Greece. He obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Southampton, before moving to the United States of America to get his Masters from California State University Long Beach, and Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Florida International University where his lab researches the physiological and behavioral ecology of sharks and other predators. His shark research has taken him all over the world including Japan, Mexico, Bahamas, Pacific Islands, Alaska, and Belize resulting in nearly 60 publications in the scientific literature. He is also very interested in the study and exploration of deep (> 50 m) coral reefs. In 2017 he became part of the research team of Pelagios Kakunjá, to collaborate in several projects, particularly in Cabo Pulmo, Revillagigedo Archipelago and Guadalupe Island.