Journal

Dr. Joel Llopiz
Dr. Joel Llopiz posing for a fun selfie photo while taking a break from dissecting fish! July 2016. Photo by Dr. Joel Llopiz!
Joel is a scientist and works for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (also known as WHOI) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Woods Hole is a small coastal town on Cape Cod. When I asked Joel what he thought he wanted to be when he was in elementary and middle school, he responded that even then, he wanted to be a marine biologist. He said that spending time fishing as a kid had a great influence on his career choice! Joel went to Eckerd College where he earned his B.S. in Marine Science and he received his PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Miami.

As the lead fish ecologist on this research cruise he is interested in how well the fish are feeding, what they are eating, and how this all is influenced by winds, upwelling and, consequently, the concentration of food availability. While on this expedition Joel is professionally most excited to learn if the nutritional condition of the Arctic Cod is influenced by prey availability, and by extension, upwelling. When asked what the most essential item is that he’s brought on the ship, related to his research, he responded, “a net to catch fish”.

Arctic Cod caught in the fish net tow on the R/V Sikuliaq. August 2, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff
Arctic Cod caught in the fish net tow on the R/V Sikuliaq. August 2, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff
preparing to deploy the net
Dr. Joel Llopiz and his team work to deploy the large fishing net which will be used to catch Arctic cod. September 1, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

During this research cruise Joel is looking forward to working with his two PhD students, Justin Suca and Christina Hernandez.

Dr. Joel Llopiz picking and dissecting Arctic Cod on the R/V Sikuliaq.
Dr. Joel Llopiz (left) with one of his PhD students Chrissy Hernandez (right) on the deck of the R/V Sikuliaq. September 2, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Joel Llopiz (left) and one of his PhD students, Justin Suca (right), viewing the data as their fish net is towed behing the R/V Sikuliaq. September 2, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Joel Llopiz (left) and one of his PhD students, Justin Suca (right), viewing the data as their fish net is towed behing the R/V Sikuliaq. September 2, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

Getting To Know You

Joel is a vegetarian (one of many on the ship), and his favorite healthy food is vegetables with curry while his favorite unhealthy food is ginger mints! While on the R/V Sikuliaq, and he is not actively working on his research, he enjoys using the What's App smartphone/computer application to keep in touch with his wife and their 19 month old son.

Can you eat more bacon than Dr. Steve Okkonen?

“Nope-I’m a vegetarian."

Favorite Quote?

“Veggie burger with bacon, please.” by Dr. Carin Ashjian

Do you have a fun or interesting fact that other people might not know about?

“I shave my legs.” This fun fact goes back to Joel's days of competitive cycling. Shaving your legs was part of the competitive cycling culture!

Dr. Joel Llopiz on the main deck of the R/V Siuliaq. September 1, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Dr. Joel Llopiz on the main deck of the R/V Siuliaq. September 1, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

Through the Porthole: Arctic Artwork!

Arctic organism artwork.
Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Kieran C. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.
Arctic Artwork!
Arctic artwork flag by students at the Anvil City Science Academy in Nome Alaska! Celebrity Flag Holders on the main deck of the R/V Sikuliaq are: Bosun Paul and Able Seaman Artie! August 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

Arctic organism artwork!
Arctic artwork flag by students at the Anvil City Science Academy in Nome Alaska! August 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

Arctic Artwork!
Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Logan N. !Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

Details
Author
Lisa Seff
Date
Location
Beaufort Sea
Expedition
Upwelling and Ecology in the Beaufort Sea
Weather Summary
Cloudy with light winds
Temperature
39 degrees F
Wind Speed
9 knots
Wind Chill
32 degrees F

View Comments

Comments

Wed, 09/20/2017 - 16:54

Corrina C

What are some types of fish Joel likes to catch?

Wed, 09/20/2017 - 23:44

Lisa Seff

Hi Corrina-we're off the boat now...but Joel researches fish in the Caribbean and the Arctic, so I'm not sure what his favorite fish to catch is! On this trip it was definitely the Arctic cod, that's for sure!(:
take care,
Lisa

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:45

ACSA Michael

Where do you lived?
What is your favorite color

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:48

A.C.S.A

A.C.S.A. 6th Grade And 5th Grade , I want to learn what animals there are in the water? What are your top three animals that you like to study, and why do you like to study them?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:50

Guest

hi Dr. Joel LIopiz

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 20:08

Lisa Seff

Dear Joel (aka Dr. Joel Llopiz onboard the R/V Sikuliaq)I have lived many places and loved many colors!
(:
Thanks for joining us in our journal adventure!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 3:45 PM
Subject: Re: ACSA Michael commented on 2 September 2017 R/V Sikuliaq Polar Profile: Dr. Joel Llopiz

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 22:08

Lisa Seff

Hi! That's a tough question.  Probably my favorite animal to study is the green sea turtle.  Not something we find in the Arctic but still my favorite animal on the planet.  I don't know why I have such an affinity for them...but after college I was super fortunate to end up in a research position in Australia.  I was on a 50 foot steel catamaran that went from the southern-most border of the Great Barrier Reef all the way to the northern-most border.  The coolest island, Raine Island in the north, had 5000+ females coming up every night to lay eggs.  We were left with a tent for 4

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 3:48 PM
Subject: Re: A.C.S.A commented on 2 September 2017 R/V Sikuliaq Polar Profile: Dr. Joel Llopiz

((( Re

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Dear Michael! Hi, very funny, but I thought your message was from a researcher on the ship! So to answer your question  more fully, I presently live in an area of East Hampton New York called Springs!
It's located on the eastern tip of Long Island.  Long Island is a long skinny island that juts out into the North Atlantic Ocean.
So like your home in Nome, I'm surrounded by the sea.  I am originally from Boston Massachusetts which is why I'm a Red Sox fan!

As far as colors go...I really do love every color of the rainbow...so I guess rainbow would be my favorite color if that's allowed to be a color?  Otherwise I'll go for blue, like the color of the ocean!

Thank you for reading our journals and joining us on the Sikuliaq!  It's really nice to hear from people back on the mainland when we're out at sea for so long!
take care and safe seas!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 3:45 PM
Subject: Re: ACSA Michael commented on 2 September 2017 R/V Sikuliaq Polar Profile: Dr. Joel Llopiz

((( Re

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 11:11

ACSA

What do you eat every day and what do you do on your spare time.

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 12:12

Bode

How did fishing impact your choice of becoming a marine biologist?

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 12:16

ACSA Jenae

Dr. Llopiz, did you ever consider a career other than marine biology? P.S. Have you ever tried waxing your legs?

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 12:25

ACSA Lupé

Dear Dr Joel, Whats your hobby when you aren't scientist-ing?

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 12:27

Katie

If it is not to personal to ask, why are you a vegetarian?If that is too personal for you, why are you looking forward to working with your PhD students?

Sat, 09/16/2017 - 08:56

Guest

Did fishing start Dr. Joel's career of dissecting fish and wanting to be a marine biologist?

Sat, 09/16/2017 - 08:58

Sarah Morgan

Can you only find the Arctic Cod in the Arctic Ocean?

Sat, 09/16/2017 - 12:36

Lisa Seff

Hi! Yes he said it really did.  I think many people have an interest, and it leads them to a career choice.  Fishing as a child made him wonder more about their life cycle and habits and he was "hooked!"(:
take care and thank you for following us!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/16/2017 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: Guest commented on 2 September 2017 R/V Sikuliaq Polar Profile: Dr. Joel Llopiz

((

Sat, 09/09/2017 - 12:52

Joel

Hi there. On the ship we eat quite well. The cooks have been great. I eat pretty much anything that's vegetarian, including my fair share of ice cream. The meals are better than I cook for myself back home, so we're definitely not roughing it out here.
In our spare time on the ship we usually get some work done on our computers. Sometimes this includes organizing the data we're collecting out here, but usually it's analyzing data from others research we've done in the past and writing up summaries of that work in the form of scientific papers. But we also relax some. Watching movies, playing cards, or going in the sauna are all options that many take advantage of.

Sat, 09/09/2017 - 13:01

Joel

I loved to fish as a kid and well into college. To be a good fisher, you have to know where the fish are, what they eat, and when they want to eat. Those are all related to a fish's behavior and how the environment might affect its behavior. Figuring all this out is what being a fish ecologist is all about. So while I was fishing, I'd be wondering what the fish were doing and, importantly, why they were doing it. Once I realized that you can make a career of actually figuring out what fish do and why they do it, I was hooked! That's science!

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 16:40

Lisa Seff

Hi Sarah! Pretty much, it's typically found only between the latitudes of 72-85 degrees North latitude!see you soon!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/16/2017 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: Sarah Morgan commented on 2 September 2017 R/V Sikuliaq Polar Profile: Dr. Joel Llopiz

Mon, 09/18/2017 - 17:58

Nichole Lopez

How long did it take to catch the Arctic Cod?

Mon, 09/18/2017 - 21:44

Lisa Seff

Hi Nichole-the mid-water trawl net that caught the Arctic cod was a big deal.  It was a huge net, with very heavy components, and it took a lot of the science team and crew to get it safely in the water.  They would tow it for approximately an hour before bringing it back in.see you in a week!
(:
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/18/2017 5:58 PM
Subject: Re: Nichole Lopez commented on 2 September 2017 R/V Sikuliaq Polar Profile: Dr. Joel Llopiz

((