"Advancing the understanding and conservation of coral reef and coastal ecosystems through rigorous, quantitative, reproducible, and community-engaged science."
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) · Department of Oceanography Uehiro Center for the Advancement of Oceanography · Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Training the next generation of scientists to lead with integrity, curiosity, collaboration, and compassion.
📖 Full table of contents
- Welcome to the Silbiger Lab
- The Silbiger Lab Way
- Graduate Program Requirements
- Communication & Mentoring
- Scientific Integrity, Open Science, and Reproducible Research
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
- Authorship & Publication Expectations
- Working with Communities
- Sites We Work In
- Laboratory Expectations
- Fieldwork Expectations & Safety
- Professional Development
- Conflict Resolution
- Getting Started: New Graduate Student Checklist
- Departing the Lab: Outgoing Member Checklist
Welcome to the Silbiger Lab at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. We are a collaborative research group dedicated to understanding how coral reefs and coastal ecosystems function, respond to environmental change, and can be better conserved through rigorous, quantitative, and reproducible science. Our research spans ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, global change biology, long-term ecological monitoring, community-engaged science, and the development of new technologies for understanding marine ecosystems.
As a member of this lab, you are joining a community of scientists committed to advancing discovery while supporting one another's growth as researchers, mentors, educators, and leaders. This handbook describes how we work, what we expect of one another, and the resources available to help you succeed.
- Scientific Excellence — We pursue research that is rigorous, innovative, quantitative, and reproducible.
- Integrity — We conduct science honestly, transparently, and ethically.
- Collaboration — Our best science emerges from teamwork, diverse perspectives, and open communication.
- Stewardship — We strive to produce research that benefits ecosystems, communities, and society.
- Mentorship — We are committed to helping every lab member become an independent, thoughtful, and impactful scientist.
Our mission is to advance the understanding and conservation of coral reef and coastal ecosystems through rigorous, quantitative, reproducible, and community-engaged science, while training the next generation of scientists to leverage emerging technologies responsibly, uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity, and lead with curiosity, collaboration, and compassion.
We believe the future of ocean ecosystems depends on science conducted in partnership with the communities and ecosystems it serves — transparent, ethical, inclusive, and impactful, and open to innovation that accelerates discovery without compromising rigor or community trust.
We aspire to build a laboratory recognized not only for producing outstanding science, but also for developing exceptional scientists — an environment where curiosity is encouraged, collaboration is celebrated, diverse perspectives are valued, and every member is empowered to grow into an independent researcher whose work benefits both science and society.
The following principles guide our research, mentorship, and daily interactions:
- People before data.
- Integrity in every analysis.
- Reproducibility by default.
- Open science guided by FAIR and CARE principles.
- Collaboration over competition.
- Respect for Indigenous knowledge, local communities, and the places where we work.
- Curiosity with humility.
- Mentor others as you wish to be mentored.
- Science should benefit society as well as science.
We are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and retaliation. Every member of our lab deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of identity or background.
We actively work to create a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued, heard, and supported. We recognize that science benefits from diverse perspectives, and that an equitable scientific community requires continual learning, reflection, accountability, and action.
We are committed to conducting research that is honest, rigorous, transparent, and reproducible, with high standards for data management, documentation, authorship, version control, and open scientific communication. We embrace both the FAIR Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics) — together, a guide to research that is reproducible, accessible, and respectful of Indigenous sovereignty, community priorities, and cultural values.
Mistakes are an expected part of research; we address them openly, learn from them, and work together to improve.
Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are now part of how we enhance discovery, reproducibility, and scientific communication. AI is a tool — not a substitute for critical thinking, creativity, or scientific judgment. All AI-assisted work should be transparent, ethical, scientifically defensible, and clearly attributable to the researchers responsible for it. (See the full AI Policy in the Scientific Integrity section.)
Science is a team effort. We foster a collaborative rather than competitive environment by sharing knowledge, celebrating one another's successes, providing constructive feedback, and recognizing everyone's contributions. We strive to mentor independent scientists who are also thoughtful collaborators, effective communicators, and generous colleagues.
The Silbiger Lab is based at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on the island of Oʻahu. We recognize that the university is located in the ahupuaʻa of Waikīkī, within the moku of Kona, on the mokupuni of Oʻahu, in the Pae ʻĀina o Hawaiʻi. We honor the Native Hawaiian people as the original and continuing stewards of these lands and waters and acknowledge their enduring relationship with this place.
As scientists working in Hawaiʻi and around the world, we strive to build meaningful relationships with local communities, recognize Indigenous knowledge alongside scientific inquiry, and conduct research with humility, reciprocity, and care — reflecting the values of kuleana (responsibility), mālama (care), and aloha in our relationships with people and place. (See Working with Communities and Sites We Work In for more.)
We believe successful scientists are whole people. We encourage mentorship, professional development, healthy work–life balance, and an environment where asking questions, learning from mistakes, and supporting one another are expected.
Every member of the Silbiger Lab shares responsibility for maintaining our community. Harassment, discrimination, scientific misconduct, and abuse of power have no place in our lab and will not be tolerated.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
Our goal is not simply to produce outstanding science, but to build a community that advances quantitative ecology through collaboration, reproducibility, innovation, stewardship, and service.
Welcome to graduate school! As a member of the Silbiger Lab, you are joining a collaborative research community dedicated to advancing coral reef and coastal science. At the same time, you are a student in an academic graduate program with its own curriculum, milestones, and degree requirements.
Most graduate students in the Silbiger Lab matriculate through one of two graduate programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: the Department of Oceanography (OCEAN), chaired by Glenn Carter, or the Marine Biology Graduate Program (MBIO), chaired by Rob Toonen. The Department of Oceanography grad chair is Craig Nelson, and the Uehiro Center for the Advancement of Oceanography is directed by Margaret McManus.
Although students from both programs work together in the lab and follow the expectations in this handbook, your degree requirements are determined by your graduate program — not by the lab. It is your responsibility to become familiar with your program's requirements and remain in good academic standing throughout your degree.
- Department of Oceanography Graduate Program
- Current Oceanography Graduate Student Handbook
- UH Graduate Division Degree Requirements
- Marine Biology Graduate Program
- Current MBIO Degree Requirements
- UH Graduate Division Degree Requirements
While Dr. Silbiger is committed to helping you navigate graduate school successfully, you are ultimately responsible for understanding and completing your graduate program requirements.
We strongly encourage every student to:
- Read your graduate handbook during your first semester.
- Review degree milestones annually.
- Keep copies of important forms and approvals.
- Meet regularly with your committee.
- Track university deadlines.
- Ask questions early if you are unsure about any requirement.
Tip
⭐ LAB TIP
Read your graduate handbook before your first committee meeting.
Understanding your program requirements early will help you plan coursework, prepare fellowship applications, schedule committee meetings, meet proposal deadlines, and graduate on time.
| Question | Primary Contact |
|---|---|
| Research direction | Dr. Silbiger |
| Daily mentoring | Dr. Silbiger |
| Funding and research assistantships | Dr. Silbiger |
| Coursework requirements | Craig Nelson (OCEAN Grad Chair) / Rob Toonen (MBIO Chair) |
| Committee formation | Craig Nelson (OCEAN Chair) / Rob Toonen (MBIO Chair) |
| Registration issues | Anne Lawyer (OCEAN) / Carrie Caruso (MBIO) |
| Graduation paperwork | Anne Lawyer (OCEAN) / Carrie Caruso (MBIO) |
| Administrative forms | Anne Lawyer (OCEAN) / Carrie Caruso (MBIO) |
| University policies | UH Graduate Division |
| Thesis/dissertation formatting | UH Graduate Division |
| Department administration (Oceanography) | Glenn Carter, Department Chair |
| Uehiro Center administration | Margaret McManus, Director |
| Lab safety training & day-to-day lab coordination | Ashley Carreiro, Lab Research Coordinator |
| Office/building access & keys | Zak Bramble, Oceanography Office Manager |
| Reimbursements for research expenses / hiring paperwork | UCAO Admin Team — ucao@hawaii.edu |
Important
📌 KEY TAKEAWAY
Your graduate program provides the academic framework for earning your degree, while the Silbiger Lab provides the scientific training, mentorship, and research environment in which you will develop as a scientist. Success comes from meeting the expectations of both.
Clear, respectful, and timely communication is essential to a successful mentoring relationship and collaborative research environment. Communication is a shared responsibility — we encourage lab members to ask questions early, communicate challenges honestly, and seek feedback throughout every stage of a project. Small problems are much easier to solve than large ones.
Slack is the primary communication platform for the Silbiger Lab. Use it for:
- Questions about research projects
- Scheduling meetings
- Sharing papers and resources
- Lab announcements
- Equipment and laboratory questions
- Data analysis questions
- Travel logistics
- Celebrating accomplishments
- General lab discussions
Using Slack keeps conversations transparent, searchable, and accessible to the whole lab. Whenever possible, post in the relevant channel rather than sending a direct message — many questions benefit everyone, and it builds a valuable knowledge base for the lab.
- University and administrative matters
- Official correspondence
- Communications with collaborators outside the lab
- Documents requiring a formal record
Because email volume can be high, responses may not always be immediate. If something is time-sensitive, say so clearly.
Text messages should only be used for emergencies or urgent, time-sensitive situations, such as:
- Fieldwork logistics requiring immediate attention (Dr. Silbiger tends to use WhatsApp when in the field)
- Safety concerns
- Travel delays affecting fieldwork or meetings
- Last-minute emergencies
Routine research questions, scheduling, manuscript comments, and administrative requests belong on Slack or email.
Regular meetings with Dr. Silbiger are one of the most important components of your graduate training. Students are expected to:
- Come prepared with an agenda or list of discussion topics.
- Provide updates on research progress.
- Discuss challenges early.
- Identify priorities before the next meeting.
- Follow through on agreed-upon action items.
Lab meetings are an opportunity to learn from one another, share ideas, and strengthen our research community. All members are expected to:
- Attend regularly unless excused.
- Arrive on time.
- Participate respectfully in discussions.
- Provide constructive and thoughtful feedback.
- Support presenters by asking questions and engaging with their work.
We ask that all lab members:
- Communicate early when problems arise.
- Be honest about progress and setbacks.
- Respect other people's time.
- Respond to messages within a reasonable timeframe.
- Notify Dr. Silbiger in advance of vacations, conferences, or extended absences.
- Ask for help before small problems become large ones.
- Use and follow the lab google calendar for all meetings, travel, and lab time-sensitive needs
Mentorship is one of the primary missions of the Silbiger Lab. Dr. Silbiger is committed to helping each member grow into an independent scientist through regular feedback, scientific guidance, professional development, and opportunities for leadership.
At the same time, students are expected to take increasing ownership of their research throughout graduate school. Independence is developed gradually through curiosity, initiative, and consistent communication — not by working in isolation. The goal of mentorship is not simply to complete a degree, but to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence, and professional network needed for a successful career. Our lab is platformed on a group mentoring philosophy. All proposals, chapters, project ideas should be edited/discussed with lab members prior to sharing with Dr. Silbiger. We all support each other and learn from each other in this lab.
Tip
⭐ BEST PRACTICE
Communicate early and often. If you are struggling with an analysis, manuscript, class, fieldwork, funding, or personal challenge that is affecting your research, let Dr. Silbiger know as early as possible. Nearly every challenge is easier to solve together than alone.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
No one should ever feel like they have to struggle in silence. Asking questions is a sign of engagement, curiosity, and growth.
Scientific integrity is the foundation of everything we do in the Silbiger Lab. We are committed to conducting science that is rigorous, transparent, reproducible, and ethical — science that others can understand, reproduce, and build upon.
Integrity goes far beyond avoiding misconduct. It means being honest about our methods, results, uncertainties, and mistakes; asking difficult questions; challenging our own assumptions; and holding ourselves to the highest standards throughout the research process. Much of our work is supported by public funding, and with that support comes a responsibility to conduct science that is accessible, trustworthy, and useful.
Every member of the Silbiger Lab is expected to:
- Conduct research honestly and ethically.
- Keep complete and organized research records.
- Preserve original data.
- Document analyses so they can be reproduced.
- Report mistakes as soon as they are discovered.
- Give proper credit to collaborators.
- Follow university, funding agency, and journal policies.
Mistakes happen — science is messy, and everyone makes them. What matters is identifying mistakes early, communicating them openly, and fixing them. Trying to hide mistakes almost always creates bigger problems than the mistake itself. Scientific misconduct — fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, inappropriate image manipulation, or intentional misrepresentation of data or results — has no place in our lab.
We believe science is strongest when it is open, transparent, and accessible. Whenever possible, we make our publications, datasets, metadata, code, protocols, and educational materials publicly available — allowing others to build on our work, improving reproducibility, and maximizing the impact of publicly funded research. Open science is not simply about sharing data; it is about making research understandable, reusable, and valuable to others.
At the same time, open science must be practiced responsibly. Some data require additional consideration because of agreements with collaborators, permitting agencies, or Indigenous communities. Transparency should never come at the expense of ethical stewardship.
Our lab follows both the FAIR Principles and the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance. Together, these frameworks help us make our science as open as possible while respecting Indigenous sovereignty, community priorities, and cultural knowledge — good science is not simply open, it is also responsible.
- Findable
- Accessible
- Interoperable
- Reusable
- Collective Benefit
- Authority to Control
- Responsibility
- Ethics
Reproducibility is one of the defining principles of the Silbiger Lab. Every research project should be organized so that another lab member could understand exactly what was done and reproduce every result, from the raw data to the final figures.
- Never modify raw data files.
- Keep project folders organized.
- Use consistent file naming conventions.
- Maintain complete metadata.
- Back up all data regularly.
We primarily use R for data analysis and expect analyses to follow reproducible workflows whenever possible. Code should be organized, well documented, easy to understand, and fully reproducible. If someone else cannot understand your code, it probably needs more documentation.
GitHub is the standard platform for version control in our lab: Silbiger Lab Github. Every computational project should include a README file, well-documented code, metadata, and clear project organization. Commit changes regularly rather than waiting until the end of a project.
Good documentation saves everyone time, including your future self. Every project should document where the data came from, how they were processed, what each script does, and how the final results were generated.
When projects are complete, data, metadata, and code should be archived in appropriate repositories such as GitHub, BCO-DMO, Zenodo, or Dryad, depending on journal and funding agency requirements.
Before submitting a manuscript, dissertation chapter, thesis, dataset, report, or conference presentation, ask yourself:
- Can someone else reproduce every figure and table?
- Have I preserved the raw data?
- Is my metadata complete?
- Is my code organized, documented, and reproducible?
- Is my GitHub repository up to date?
- Have I archived all required data, code, and metadata?
- Have I independently verified every AI-generated output?
- Could I confidently explain and defend every analysis and conclusion?
- Does this work reflect the scientific standards I would expect from someone else?
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
Leave every project in a state where another member of the lab could reproduce your work without needing to ask you a single question.
AI is rapidly changing how scientists work, and the Silbiger Lab cautiously embraces it as a tool that can improve efficiency, reproducibility, and some aspects of data analysis. But AI should support your scientific development, not replace it.
One of the primary goals of graduate school is to become an independent scientist — learning to ask important questions, think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively. Those skills can only be developed through practice. AI should not do the science for you.
AI can be a valuable tool for:
- Debugging code
- Explaining statistical concepts
- Troubleshooting programming errors
- Data cleaning and organization
- Generating documentation or metadata templates
- Automating repetitive tasks
- Basic grammar and copy editing
- Learning new programming languages or software packages
These uses can save time and help you learn more efficiently — while still requiring you to understand and verify the final product.
AI should not be used for work that is fundamental to your development as an independent scientist, including:
- Writing manuscripts, proposals, dissertations, or thesis chapters beyond basic grammar and copy editing
- Writing literature reviews
- Generating scientific ideas, hypotheses, or research questions
- Developing study designs
- Interpreting scientific results
- Writing discussion sections or drawing scientific conclusions
- Fabricating data or analyses
- Misrepresenting methods or results
The creative and intellectual aspects of science belong to you. Developing these skills is one of the primary purposes of graduate training.
Every member of the lab is expected to:
- Understand every analysis they perform.
- Verify every line of AI-generated code before using it.
- Independently confirm all references and citations.
- Critically evaluate all AI-generated outputs.
- Be able to explain and defend every figure, analysis, and conclusion in their work.
If you cannot explain how something works, you should not use it in your research.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
Your goal is to become the kind of scientist who knows when AI is useful, when it is wrong, and when your own expertise is the better tool.
The goal of research is not simply to collect data, but to communicate discoveries that advance scientific understanding. A project is not complete until its results have been shared with the scientific community through publication and, whenever appropriate, through publicly accessible data, code, and metadata.
The Silbiger Lab is committed to producing rigorous, reproducible, and impactful science, with publications that accurately reflect everyone's intellectual contributions and are completed in a timely manner. Our work is supported by collaborators, institutions, funding agencies, and the public — we have an obligation to ensure the knowledge we generate is communicated, preserved, and made available for others to build upon.
Authorship is based on meaningful intellectual contributions to a research project. We expect authors to contribute substantially to multiple of the following:
- Development of the research questions or study design
- Development of analytical methods or software
- Significant data analysis and interpretation
- Writing substantial portions of the manuscript
- Revising the manuscript and responding to reviewer comments
- Providing significant intellectual input throughout the project
Whenever appropriate, we follow the CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) (credit.niso.org) to clearly define individual contributions. Individuals who contribute but do not meet authorship criteria should be appropriately acknowledged.
Authorship should never be a surprise. We discuss it early in every project and revisit those discussions as projects evolve — as contributions change, so may authorship order. Questions or disagreements should be discussed with Dr. Silbiger as early as possible.
Publishing is a responsibility shared by all members of the lab — graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, research technicians, and research scientists. Everyone who leads or contributes substantially to a project is expected to actively participate in moving that work toward publication, with a publication plan established early and revisited regularly.
Graduate students are expected to structure their dissertations around publishable manuscripts:
- The majority of dissertation chapters should be submitted to peer-reviewed journals before the dissertation defense.
- All remaining dissertation/thesis chapters should be submitted for publication within one year of graduation.
Acceptance depends on the peer-review process and is outside a student's control but timely submission is an expected component of graduate training.
Postdocs, research technicians, research scientists, and other staff are expected to actively lead publication of the projects for which they have primary responsibility, including:
- Maintaining steady progress toward manuscript completion.
- Communicating regularly about publication timelines.
- Working collaboratively with coauthors.
- Ensuring data, code, metadata, and documentation are complete before submission.
Lab members transitioning to another institution or position are encouraged to continue collaborating on manuscripts until projects are submitted.
Much of our research is supported by public funding agencies that invest public resources to advance scientific knowledge and often require publications, data, metadata, and code to be made publicly available. Publishing and openly sharing our work:
- Advances scientific discovery.
- Supports transparency and reproducibility.
- Maximizes the impact of publicly funded research.
- Fulfills funding agency and journal requirements.
- Honors our responsibility to collaborators, resource managers, and the communities where we work.
The Silbiger Lab is committed to helping former members complete manuscripts after they leave. Whenever practical, manuscripts should be submitted before leaving the lab. If that isn't possible, former lab members are expected to maintain regular communication with Dr. Silbiger regarding progress and anticipated timelines.
Warning
If no meaningful progress has been made toward completing a manuscript within six months of leaving the lab, and there has been little or no communication regarding plans for completing the work, Dr. Silbiger may, at her discretion, reassign leadership of the manuscript to another qualified member of the research team to complete the analyses, writing, revision, and submission process.
This safeguard exists to ensure that obligations to funding agencies are fulfilled, valuable discoveries are not left unpublished, collaborators receive timely recognition, publicly funded research products become accessible, and years of scientific effort ultimately benefit science and society. Whenever possible, the original project lead will remain a coauthor, provided they continue to engage with the manuscript and meet accepted authorship criteria. In most cases, a simple conversation and a realistic timeline are sufficient to keep projects moving forward.
Research in the Silbiger Lab is often supported through grants awarded to the lab and conducted in collaboration with multiple investigators, institutions, funding agencies, and community partners. As a result:
- Original data, laboratory notebooks, metadata, code, photographs, field notes, and research records are part of the lab's scientific record and must be archived with the lab and pushed to GitHub and/or the lab Google Drive as appropriate.
- Lab members are encouraged to retain copies of their data, code, manuscripts, and other scholarly products as they move to the next stage of their careers.
- Before leaving the lab, all members are expected to organize and archive project materials so research can continue if needed.
- Datasets, code, metadata, and documentation should be left in a state that allows another lab member to understand, reproduce, and continue the project if necessary.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
Publishing is not the end of a project — it is part of the project. Our responsibility is not only to discover new knowledge, but to ensure it is communicated, preserved, and made available so others can build upon it. Leave every project in a state where another scientist could pick it up, understand it, and continue it without starting over.
Much of the research conducted by the Silbiger Lab takes place in Hawaiʻi and other regions where people have deep cultural, historical, and spiritual connections to the lands and waters where we work. Whether in Hawaiʻi; California; Moʻorea, French Polynesia; or Okinawa, Japan, successful science depends on building meaningful, long-term relationships with the people who steward these places. (See Sites We Work In for site-specific details.)
We are committed to conducting research that is collaborative, respectful, and reciprocal. Community engagement is not something that happens after a project is designed — it is integral to the research process, from conception through publication and data sharing.
In Hawaiʻi, our work is guided by the values of kuleana (responsibility), mālama (care), and aloha, and by the Kūlana Noiʻi (Research Standards) developed by Hawaiʻi Sea Grant in collaboration with community partners — an important guide for how we approach our work in Hawaiʻi and beyond.
- Respect — Honor the people, culture, history, and place where research is conducted.
- Reciprocity — Ensure research creates mutual benefit and gives back to the communities involved.
- Self-Awareness and Capacity — Recognize your own perspectives, limitations, and responsibilities while continually developing cultural competency.
- Communication — Foster open, honest, and transparent communication throughout the research process.
- Maintaining a Long-Term Focus — Build relationships that extend beyond the life of a single project.
- Community Engagement and Co-Review — Engage communities as partners throughout project development, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination.
- Knowledge Stewardship — Respect data sovereignty, cultural knowledge, and community priorities when collecting, managing, and sharing information.
- Accountability — Be accountable to collaborators, communities, funding agencies, and one another by following through on commitments and communicating results.
Although every community has its own history, values, and priorities, the underlying principles of respect, reciprocity, accountability, and long-term relationship building are universal — whether we are working with Native Hawaiian communities, collaborators in French Polynesia, colleagues in Okinawa, or communities elsewhere.
- Learn about the history, culture, language, and stewardship practices of the places where we work before beginning research.
- Build relationships based on mutual respect, reciprocity, and trust.
- Recognize and value Indigenous and local knowledge alongside Western scientific approaches.
- Engage communities and collaborators early and throughout the research process whenever appropriate.
- Listen first and remain open to adapting research questions, methods, and products to better serve community priorities.
- Respect community knowledge, data sovereignty, and agreements regarding how information is collected, managed, and shared.
- Use Indigenous and local place names whenever appropriate and learn the cultural significance of our study sites.
- Conduct research that provides lasting benefits to local communities, students, resource managers, and scientific partners.
- Share research findings in ways that are accessible to the communities where the work was conducted.
We recognize that conducting research is a privilege, not a right. Together, the principles of FAIR, CARE, and Kūlana Noiʻi provide the foundation for how we conduct ethical, collaborative, and community-engaged science.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
The best science is built on strong relationships. We strive to be researchers who are invited back because we listened well, collaborated respectfully, honored local knowledge, and left a positive, lasting impact. We measure success not only by the papers we publish, but by the trust we build, the partnerships we strengthen, and the positive impact we leave behind.
The Silbiger Lab conducts research at a small number of long-term field sites, each with its own permitting requirements, institutional partners, and community relationships. This page is a living reference — as our field program grows, add new sites here following the same format.
Our home base. Work here is grounded in the values of kuleana (responsibility), mālama (care), and aloha, and follows the Kūlana Noiʻi Research Standards described in Working with Communities.
- Institutional partners / permits — DLNR Special Activity permits
- Field logistics — UH Dive Safety Office
Site of long-term ecological research in coordination with the Moorea Coral Reef LTER and local partners.
- Institutional partners / permits —Gump Research Station
Site of instrument deployments and collaborative coastal ecosystem research.
- Institutional partners / permits — Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
Note
📌 ADDING A NEW SITE
Starting work in a new location? Add a new subsection here with the same four fields (research focus, institutional partners/permits, local contacts, field logistics) before the first field season begins, and review it with the field team as part of Field Safety Planning.
The laboratory is a shared space, and every member plays a role in maintaining a safe, organized, and productive research environment. Good laboratory practices allow everyone to work more efficiently, reduce the risk of errors, and demonstrate respect for one another's time and research. No task is beneath anyone — maintaining a well-functioning lab is a shared responsibility.
Every lab member is expected to:
- Keep workspaces clean and organized.
- Clean benches and equipment after use.
- Return equipment to its proper location.
- Properly label all samples, reagents, and chemicals.
- Dispose of waste according to university safety protocols.
- Report broken or malfunctioning equipment as soon as possible.
- Notify the research coordinator when supplies are running low.
- Keep shared freezers, refrigerators, and storage areas organized.
- Follow all laboratory safety procedures.
- Complete required university and laboratory safety training before beginning laboratory work.
Many instruments and equipment are shared among multiple projects and collaborators. Please:
- Reserve equipment when appropriate.
- Return borrowed equipment promptly.
- Report any damage immediately.
- Do not modify instrument settings without permission.
- Document instrument problems so others are aware.
If you are unsure how to operate a piece of equipment, ask before using it.
Good science depends on good documentation. Organized records improve reproducibility, reduce mistakes, and ensure projects can continue even as students and staff transition into new positions. All lab members are expected to maintain accurate, up-to-date records, including:
- Laboratory notebooks or electronic lab notebooks
- Sample inventories
- Metadata
- Instrument calibration records
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Experimental notes
- Laboratory inventories
- Data management documentation
All lab members are expected to:
- Update the inventory immediately whenever equipment, supplies, or instruments are added, removed, relocated, borrowed, returned, or retired.
- Record missing or damaged equipment as soon as it is discovered.
- Notify Dr. Silbiger if major equipment requires repair or replacement.
The Silbiger Lab maintains a shared repository of laboratory, field, and computational protocols on GitHub:
This repository is the lab's living documentation for laboratory protocols, instrument operating procedures, field methods, data processing workflows, computational analyses, QA/QC, coding standards, metadata templates, and reproducible research workflows. If you develop or improve a protocol, contribute those changes back to the repository — every improvement benefits future students, collaborators, and the broader scientific community.
Safety is everyone's responsibility. All lab members are expected to:
- Complete all required university and laboratory safety training before beginning laboratory work.
- Follow all chemical hygiene and laboratory safety protocols.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Know the location and proper use of emergency equipment.
- Report accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, or near misses immediately.
- Never work in unsafe conditions.
If you are unsure whether something is safe, stop and ask.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
Leave the lab better than you found it. Whether that means organizing a freezer, improving a protocol, updating the inventory, documenting your workflow, or contributing code to our GitHub repository — every improvement makes the lab stronger for the next person.
Fieldwork is one of the most rewarding aspects of our research, but it also carries unique responsibilities. Whether on coral reefs in Hawaiʻi, conducting long-term ecological research in Moʻorea, deploying instruments in Okinawa, the tide pools of California, or studying coastal ecosystems elsewhere, our highest priority is the safety of our team and the respectful conduct of our research. People always come before data. No sample, instrument deployment, or dataset is worth compromising someone's health or safety.
As representatives of the Silbiger Lab and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, field team members should:
- Treat one another with respect.
- Foster an inclusive and supportive field environment.
- Communicate clearly and professionally.
- Support new team members.
- Help solve problems collaboratively.
- Celebrate successes together.
Fieldwork often takes place where people have lived, worked, and cared for ecosystems for generations. Before beginning research, we strive to:
- Learn about local history and culture.
- Understand local customs and expectations.
- Respect Indigenous and local knowledge.
- Build reciprocal relationships with community partners.
- Conduct research that provides long-term benefits whenever possible.
We are guests in the places where we work, and we strive to conduct ourselves accordingly. (See Sites We Work In for site-specific details.)
Safety planning begins before anyone leaves the laboratory. Every field campaign should include:
- A written field safety plan.
- Emergency contact information.
- Communication plans.
- Weather monitoring.
- Emergency evacuation procedures.
- Medical information for team members when appropriate.
- Daily check-in procedures.
- Equipment checklists.
Field plans should be reviewed with every member of the field team before work begins.
Field team members are expected to:
- Work in teams whenever possible. If it is not possible you must have a shore contact that knows where you are.
- Stay aware of changing environmental conditions.
- Communicate concerns immediately.
- Stay hydrated, well nourished, and well rested.
- Know their physical limits.
- Speak up if conditions become unsafe.
Caution
Everyone has the authority and responsibility to stop field activities if they believe conditions are unsafe. No explanation or justification is required.
When conducting diving or boating operations, all University of Hawaiʻi Diving Safety Program requirements, institutional policies, and local regulations must be followed. Additional expectations include:
- Never dive beyond your level of training or certification.
- Complete all required dive planning.
- Always use the buddy system.
- Maintain clear communication before, during, and after dives.
- Never allow research objectives to compromise safe diving practices.
Research can always wait until conditions improve.
All fieldwork must comply with research permits, collection permits, animal care protocols, protected area regulations, import/export regulations, community agreements, and institutional approvals. Every field team member is responsible for understanding and following applicable regulations.
Every member of the field team deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported. Harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, or inappropriate behavior have no place in our field programs. If concerns arise, communicate them immediately to the field lead or Dr. Silbiger.
We work in some of the world's most remarkable ecosystems, and with that comes a responsibility to minimize our impact. We strive to:
- Minimize our environmental footprint.
- Leave study sites in the same or better condition than we found them.
- Avoid unnecessary disturbance to organisms and habitats.
- Respect cultural, archaeological, and historically significant sites.
- Conduct research that contributes to long-term conservation and stewardship.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
Our field sites are more than places where we collect data — they are living ecosystems, cultural landscapes, and communities that have entrusted us with the privilege of conducting research. We strive to treat every place, every partnership, and every field season with the utmost respect.
One of the primary goals of the Silbiger Lab is to train the next generation of scientists. While producing high-quality research is an important part of graduate school and postdoctoral training, equally important is developing the skills needed for a successful and fulfilling career — thinking critically, communicating effectively, mentoring others, writing successful proposals, publishing impactful papers, teaching, collaborating across disciplines, engaging with communities, and becoming an independent scientist. Every lab member should leave with stronger scientific, technical, communication, leadership, and mentoring skills than when they joined.
The Silbiger Lab meets once each week throughout the academic year. Lab meetings are an opportunity to:
- Present ongoing research.
- Practice conference talks and posters.
- Discuss recently published papers.
- Troubleshoot analyses and field projects.
- Learn new analytical and computational skills.
- Receive constructive feedback from lab members.
- Celebrate accomplishments and milestones.
- Share funding and professional opportunities.
All lab members are expected to attend unless traveling for fieldwork or conferences, or with prior approval — and to actively participate by asking questions and contributing to discussions.
Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and research staff meet individually with Dr. Silbiger approximately every two weeks to discuss:
- Research progress
- Data analyses
- Manuscripts
- Grant proposals
- Coursework (for students)
- Career goals
- Professional development
- Challenges and roadblocks
- Priorities for the coming weeks
Please come prepared with an agenda and project updates — these meetings are most productive when both mentor and mentee are prepared.
Every graduate student and postdoctoral scholar is expected to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) each year, to reflect on progress, identify areas for growth, and set goals. Discuss your completed IDP with Dr. Silbiger during an annual mentoring meeting and update it as your goals evolve.
- Lab IDP - Lab IDP on google drive
Save your completed IDP in your personal folder within the Silbiger Lab Google Drive.
Providing and receiving feedback is fundamental to scientific research. Learning to give constructive feedback is just as important as learning to receive it — every lab member is expected to help create a collaborative and supportive writing environment.
Before sending any proposal, manuscript, fellowship application, dissertation chapter, report, conference abstract, poster, or presentation to Dr. Silbiger for review, it should first be read by at least one other lab member. Peer review within the lab improves the quality of your work, catches problems early, and lets meetings with Dr. Silbiger focus on higher-level scientific questions rather than grammar or formatting.
As soon as you become aware of a deadline, add it to your calendar and communicate it to Dr. Silbiger, even if you aren't yet ready for feedback.
Tip
⭐ TURNAROUND TIME
Dr. Silbiger requests a minimum of two weeks to review manuscripts, dissertation chapters, fellowship applications, grant proposals, reports, conference abstracts, posters, presentation slides, recommendation letter materials, and any document requiring substantial scientific feedback. Large proposals or multiple simultaneous deadlines may require additional time. Last-minute requests cannot be guaranteed.
Conference presentations represent the work of the entire research team. All coauthors must have the opportunity to review the abstract before submission, and slides/posters should be reviewed and approved by all coauthors before being presented. No conference abstract should be submitted without approval from all coauthors.
Students and postdoctoral scholars are encouraged to seek feedback early rather than waiting until a proposal is nearly complete: discuss ideas before writing, share outlines early, have at least one other lab member review the proposal before sending it to Dr. Silbiger, and allow a minimum of two weeks for detailed feedback.
Dr. Silbiger is happy to write letters of recommendation for lab members who have demonstrated professionalism, engagement, and strong performance. Please provide at least two weeks' notice, and include:
- Your current CV.
- Your personal statement, research statement, or cover letter (if applicable).
- A description of the opportunity.
- Submission instructions and deadline.
- The name, title, and institution of the recipient (if known).
- A copy of the job advertisement, fellowship announcement, or program description.
- Any specific experiences, accomplishments, or qualities you'd like highlighted.
- An unofficial transcript, if relevant.
- A list of publications, presentations, awards, teaching, mentoring, outreach, leadership, and service completed while in the lab or anything you specifically want highlighted.
Lab members are encouraged to present at local, national, and international conferences, practice talks with the lab beforehand, develop strong communication skills for scientific and public audiences, and participate in workshops and professional development opportunities. Whenever possible, students should aim to present their research at least once each year.
Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are encouraged to apply for fellowships, research grants, travel awards, professional development awards, and scholarships. Writing proposals is valuable even when they are not funded — every proposal improves your scientific writing, project planning, and communication skills.
As you progress through your degree or appointment, you will have opportunities to mentor undergraduate students, interns, and newer lab members. Good mentors listen before advising, share knowledge generously, provide constructive feedback, create an inclusive learning environment, and support the success of others. Teaching and mentoring others is one of the best ways to strengthen your own understanding.
We want every lab member to leave prepared for the next stage of their career — academia, government, nonprofit, industry, or another path. Throughout your time in the lab, work toward building a strong publication record, technical and analytical expertise, grant writing experience, teaching and mentoring skills, leadership experience, a professional network, an updated CV, ORCID, Google Scholar profile, and a clear vision for your future career. We will work together on your career goals. The more information you share with Dr. Silbiger about your goals the more she can help you make connections with relevant people.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
Scientific excellence is rarely achieved alone. Great science comes from thoughtful collaboration, constructive feedback, careful planning, and a willingness to revise your work. Asking for feedback early, giving others adequate time to provide meaningful comments, and respecting your collaborators' time are essential parts of being a professional scientist.
Science is inherently collaborative, and with collaboration comes differences in ideas, perspectives, communication styles, and expectations. Disagreement is a normal and often productive part of scientific research — some of our best ideas come from thoughtful discussion and respectful debate. Conflict itself is not the problem; how we respond to it is what matters.
The Silbiger Lab is committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, heard, and supported. We expect all members to approach disagreements with professionalism, curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to listen. Our goal is not to avoid conflict, but to resolve it in a way that strengthens our working relationships.
Most conflicts are easiest to resolve when addressed early. If something is bothering you, do not let it build into a larger problem. Whenever appropriate, we encourage lab members to:
- Speak directly with the individual involved.
- Assume positive intent.
- Listen before responding.
- Focus on the issue rather than the person.
- Work toward finding a solution together.
Many conflicts arise from miscommunication rather than bad intentions.
Not every situation can or should be handled alone. If you are uncomfortable discussing an issue directly, or if previous conversations haven't resolved the problem, please speak with Dr. Silbiger about concerns such as:
- Communication.
- Team dynamics.
- Collaboration challenges.
- Authorship questions.
- Mentoring concerns.
- Workload concerns.
- Professional conduct.
- Situations where you feel uncomfortable or unsupported.
Dr. Silbiger's role is to help facilitate productive conversations and work toward fair and respectful solutions.
We expect every lab member to communicate professionally with colleagues, collaborators, students, staff, and community partners. This means treating everyone with kindness and respect, giving constructive rather than personal feedback, listening with an open mind, respecting different backgrounds and perspectives, avoiding gossip and unnecessary negativity, being willing to apologize when appropriate, and assuming good intentions while remaining open to learning when mistakes are made.
Professional disagreement is healthy. Personal attacks are not.
The Silbiger Lab is committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone. Harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, retaliation, or abusive behavior will not be tolerated — in the lab, during fieldwork, at conferences, online, or in any professional setting where lab members represent the Silbiger Lab or the University of Hawaiʻi.
If you experience or witness behavior that threatens the safety or well-being of yourself or others, please bring it to Dr. Silbiger's attention as soon as possible. If appropriate, concerns may also be reported through University of Hawaiʻi reporting mechanisms or other university resources.
Every member of the lab is expected to give thoughtful, respectful feedback; accept feedback professionally; separate critique of the work from critique of the individual; recognize that revisions are a normal part of scientific growth; and view feedback as an opportunity to improve rather than as criticism.
Every member of the Silbiger Lab contributes to its culture. We encourage everyone to celebrate one another's accomplishments, support colleagues during difficult periods, share knowledge generously, welcome new members, and recognize that everyone's success strengthens the lab as a whole. A positive lab culture does is created through the daily actions of every member. We love to have fun and have social events as a lab.
There may be situations where additional support is appropriate. The University of Hawaiʻi provides confidential and professional resources to assist students, postdoctoral scholars, and employees, including:
- Graduate Program Chair
- Department Chair
- SOEST Dean's Office
- UH Graduate Division
- Equal Opportunity (EEO/AA) Office
- Ombuds Office
- Counseling and Student Development Center
- Employee Assistance Program (for eligible employees)
Seeking support is a sign of professionalism and good judgment.
Note
🌊 LAB PHILOSOPHY
Treat people with the same respect, patience, and generosity that you hope to receive from others. Strong science is built on strong relationships, and those relationships are built through trust, communication, and mutual respect.
✅ Click to expand — New Graduate Student Checklist
🎉 Welcome to the Silbiger Lab! We're excited to have you join the team. Please complete the following tasks during your first week. Most only take a few minutes, but they'll help get you set up so you can hit the ground running.
- Accept your invitation to the Silbiger Lab Slack workspace. Slack is our primary method of communication — please use it (rather than email) for most day-to-day questions and updates.
- Send Dr. Silbiger your GitHub username. You'll be added to the Silbiger Lab GitHub organization, where we maintain code, workflows, and shared projects.
- Join the Silbiger Lab Google Calendar. This is where we put all our meetings and important dates
- Accept your invitation to the Silbiger Lab Google Drive.
- Navigate to the "For Dr. Silbiger" folder and create a new folder using your name (e.g., Jane Smith).
Use this folder for manuscript drafts, proposal drafts, figures for review, meeting documents, and any files you'd like Dr. Silbiger to review.
- Send Dr. Silbiger a professional headshot and a short biography (approximately 100–200 words). See examples at silbigerlab.com/meet-the-team
- Pick up keys from Zak Bramble (Oceanography Office Manager) in the Oceanography Office (2nd Floor, MSB). You will need access to MSB 511 (Office), MSB 602 (Lab), and MSB 624 (Lab).
- Complete the When2Meet survey for your typical weekly availability — used to schedule weekly lab meetings, one-on-one meetings with Dr. Silbiger, and group activities.
- Schedule a meeting with Ashley Carreiro (Lab Research Coordinator) to review all required laboratory safety training.
- Complete any required UH laboratory safety modules and documentation.
- If you are already an AAUS diver then transfer your reciprocity to the UH Dive Program. Dive Safety Program Website
Install or verify access to:
RRStudioGitMicrosoft Office(Sadly, UH does not provide free access to students)ZoomSlack(Computer and phone app)PaperPile(For Google Docs -- This is what the Silbiger Lab uses as a reference manager)
Verify that you can log into: UH Google Drive, GitHub, and Slack.
- Confirm your office assignment.
- Confirm computer access and Wi-Fi.
- Make sure you have access to UH email, Google Calendar, and printer access in the lab (if needed).
- Read the lab expectations document (this handbook).
- Browse recent Silbiger Lab publications.
- Look through current lab projects to familiarize yourself with everyone's research.
- Browse lab protocols and equipment list
Before your first meeting with Dr. Silbiger, come prepared to discuss your research interests, long-term career goals, courses you're taking, skills you'd like to learn, and any questions about the lab or graduate school.
- Add a professional profile photo to Slack.
- Complete your Google profile.
- Follow the Silbiger Lab website and GitHub. Note: we also have a lab Instagram!
- Introduce yourself in the lab Slack.
- Begin organizing your computer with a dedicated research folder structure.
⭐ COMPLETED?
Once you've finished everything above, send Dr. Silbiger a quick Slack message letting her know you're all set. Welcome to the lab — we're excited to work with you!
👋 Click to expand — Outgoing Member Checklist
When you leave the Silbiger Lab, please work through the following before your last day to ensure a smooth transition for you and for the lab.
- If you have a space in the lab(s) that only you occupy, clear it out. Any shared equipment and supplies must be returned to their designated spot and its location updated on the UH Inventory spreadsheet.
- Add any equipment that you are leaving behind to the UH Inventory spreadsheet.
- If you are leaving any samples behind, make sure they are properly stored and labeled (what they are, your name, dates, and why they are important to keep). If chemicals are involved, follow proper labeling guidelines from the UH Environmental Health and Safety Office.
- Make sure all chemicals you have used are properly labeled and in the UH Chemical Inventory spreadsheet.
- Properly tag and dispose of chemical waste and unnecessary samples.
- Share backups of all data, lab notebooks, and manuscript drafts with Dr. Silbiger.
- Decide on a timeline to publish remaining work, and plans for the lab to take over publishing if deadlines are not met and communication is not maintained.
- Add example documents (fieldwork planning spreadsheets, funded grants/fellowships, thesis proposal, thesis) to the Lab Drive.
- Back up important files from your UH email and Google Drive.
- Back up important files from the lab computers, if applicable.
- Provide Dr. Silbiger with permanent contact information.
- Enroll in UH ʻOhana online services to preserve your UH email account after you are no longer affiliated with UH.
- Return office and lab keys to Zak Bramble in the OCN Office.
⚠️ NOTE ON UH ʻOHANAYou can continue to access Google services (Gmail, Google Drive) through ʻOhana, but ʻOhana accounts only have a 7.5 GB storage quota — if you exceed this limit, your data may be deleted. Enrollment must be renewed annually; if you fail to renew on time, all data and credentials will be lost and cannot be recovered.