top of page
DSCN4800.JPG

Jorge García Molinos - Associate Professor (准教授)

I am an ecologist broadly interested in global change ecology and macroecology.

Email: jorgegmolinos[at]arc.hokudai.ac.jp

Office: Room 2 - 1st Floor, Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University

wordCloud.png

 

As you can see from the figure on the left (a word cloud made from the abstracts of a random subset of our papers), our research interests are wide but they all evolve around improving our understanding of the impacts of climate change and other human impacts on biodiversity, from local to global, the consequences of those impacts to ecosystems, including humans, and how we can use that knowledge to make for a more sustainable future. Our research focuses mainly on aquatic ecosystems, both marine and freshwater, but we are also interested in terrestrial environments (after all I hold a BSc in Forestry!). Though challenging, we try to balance both empirical and theoretical/modelling work.

The following interview provides a general overview of the research and philosophy at our group. The interview transcript can be read here (Japanese version available here)

Lab members

Lab members
Irene_website.jpg

Dr. IRENE ALABIA

Arctic Research Center - Hokkaido University

Specially Appointed Assistant Professor 2016~

Irene is interested in fisheries and satellite oceanography studies. She is currently hired under the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ARCs II) project to study the effects of climate variability and climate change on the biodiversity patterns and range changes of fish and invertebrates in the Bering Sea and adjacent Arctic waters. Check Irene's recent papers in Diversity and Distributions and Science of the Total Environment for some more context on the work she's up to.

Chen_website_edited.jpg

Graduate School of Environmental Sciences

Hokkaido University

MSc student 2024-2026

As a master's student from China, my research topic is "Responses of natural and managed rivers to climate change near the Pan-Arctic region". I am dedicated to exploring how climate change impacts rivers in this critical region. By studying the interactions between natural and managed river systems, I aim to contribute to our understanding of environmental changes in the Pan-Arctic area.

Robertso_website_edited_edited.jpg

ROBERTSON FREEMAN

Graduate School of Environmental Science - Hokkaido University

PhD student 2024 -

My research is titled "Factors Influencing Public Awareness and Attitude Toward Endangered Species Conservation in Sapo National Park, Liberia." My work aims to bridge academic research with practical applications to benefit communities in developing countries and beyond. In recognition of my dedication to youth development and leadership, I was awarded the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Youth of the Year Award in 2019, Liberia.

Personal site
Annisa_Picture_edited.jpg

SAJIDAH S. ANNISA

Graduate School of Environmental Sciences

Hokkaido University

MSc student 2023-2025

I have a BSc in Biology from U. Mulawarman in Indonesia. I'm fascinated about mammal ecology and the application of camera traps. Given the significant roles that mammals play in ecology, it is imperative that we manage their habitats with great care. My master's research investigates how the ecotones surrounding the habitat of the Japanese northern pika affect its interactions with other animals.

Krishna_website_edited.jpg

SHRADDHA KRISHNA PANDA

Graduate School of Environmental Science - Hokkaido University

PhD student 2023 -

My research focuses on the climate change impacts on mountainous communities in the Indian Himalayas, integrating indigenous knowledge into adaptation strategies. A key part of my work involves developing ecological calendars that combine traditional knowledge with climatic trends, helping communities anticipate future changes. I aim to bridge the gap between scientists, societies and policymakers to foster a more resilient and sustainable future.

Emmilce Morillas Master's degree student

EMMILCE MORILLAS

Graduate School of Environmental Sciences

Hokkaido University

MSc student 2023-2025

I am from Bolivia and I studied Biology at Mayor de San Andrés University. I am interested in plant-pollinator dynamics and urban ecology. I also consider that environmental education is essential for conservation, especially in urban ecosystems. My Master’s degree research at Hokkaido University focuses on the impact of urbanization on insect-pollinator communities in Sapporo City.

Co-supervised students

Co-supevised studens

Past members

Visiting researches
Postdocs
  • Dr. Stephen C. Sakapaji (2022-2024)
  • Dr. Zhixin Zhang (2021; current affiliation: Research Fellow at Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology)
PhD students
  • Dr. Tomoki Sakiyama (2020-2024; "The role of microclimate in maintaining species distribution under climate change")
  • Dr. Xochitl Édua Elías Ilosvay (2020-2024 - University of Vigo, external supervisor; "Adaptation responses of marine social-ecological systems linked to hotspots of rapid biodiversity change")
  • Dr. Isaac Brito-Morales (2017-2021 - University of Queensland, external supervisor; "Climate velocity in the ocean and its implications for conservation")
MSc students
  • Elijah Caldwell (2019-2021; "Perception of fishermen towards invasive salmonids in Hokkaido and the contribution of citizen science to their long-term monitoring")
  • Muhammad Taimoor Siddique (2020-2022; "Risk from future climate change to Pakistan's protected area network: a composite analysis for hotspot identification")
  • Miki MacAlinn (2021-2023; "Assessment of river sediment and nutrient loading into coastal waters of Northern Okinawa Island (Japan) in relation to coral reef communities")
  • Rafaela de Albuquerque (2017-2019 - University of Queensland, external supervisor, "Designing climate-proof marineprotected areas: a case study in South America")
Visiting researchers and students
  • Izabella Baisheva (2023, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany)
  • Samuel Ross (2019, Trinity College, Ireland)
  • Jackson Johnstone (2019, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, USA)
bottom of page