CALDERON AGUILERA, LUIS EDUARDO

I’m a marine ecologist who studies how life, climate, and people connect. I see ecology as a science of relationships: between the physical world, living organisms, and human societies. My work asks how we can live well together on a changing planet.

My research focuses on how climate change and other disturbances reshape the flow of energy and matter through socio-ecological systems. I track population dynamics of corals, reef fishes, and commercially important invertebrates like sea cucumbers and geoduck clams. Coral reefs are my primary study system because they’re biodiversity powerhouses with intricate species interactions and provide vital services to coastal communities.

Since 2016, I’ve been diving deeper—literally—into mesophotic reefs, 30-150m down. I’m testing whether these deep reefs can act as refuges for shallow-water species under climate stress, focusing on the Mexican Pacific and Gulf of California. Ultimately, I want my science to inform better management of natural resources that supports both ecosystems and people.