Joel Huckeba is a field research technician in the Hughes Lab that helps facilitate our long-term coastal monitoring projects. After graduating from San Diego State University with a B.Sc. in Biology, he worked in Central and South America implementing coral reef restoration with NGO’s Give Volunteers and SECORE International. Joel then went on to complete an M.Sc. in Marine Biology with the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. During grad school, he focused his research on coral population genomics while working as a research assistant with California Academy of Sciences and Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Joel then joined UC Santa Barbara’s SONGS Mitigation Monitoring Program in their efforts to restore kelp forest and wetlands along the coast of Southern California. Now as a technician for the Hughes lab, he explores the drivers of ecosystem resilience in kelp forest and estuary habitats. Beyond the ocean, Joel’s interests include skateboarding, backpacking, camping, and hiking. He seeks to learn more about himself and others through making art and exploring nature!