Postdoctoral Investigator Francesco Ventura joins WHOI’s PO Department. Francesco earned his PhD in the Faculty of Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. His research interests include movement ecology and demography of marine megafauna, biophysical interactions and wind and seabird flight behavior. Francesco is working with Caroline Ummenhofer, investigating the role of wind in shaping the distribution of seabirds via its effects  on movement and demography, at multiple scales: from individual-level energetics to large-scale population-level effects on migration routes and demography.

In his free time, Francesco loves surfing and playing soccer. He is a keen pizza eater and really enjoys birdwatching, although that’s kind of work-related.