Lewis is a Ph.D. student examining the behavior, bioenergetics, and life-history strategies of humpback whales to understand how males invest energy, compete, and respond to environmental and anthropogenic pressures across their migratory range. He develops novel methods such as aerial identification (aerial-ID) to track individuals through time and applies non-invasive approaches, like drone photogrammetry and biologging, to study energetic costs and mating strategies. As field lead for the MMRP’s three-month humpback whale season in Maui, Lewis oversees all operational components, from planning to vessel logistics, UAS deployments, and biopsy sampling. By combining advanced technology with multi-year field programs and quantitative analyses, his work provides new insights into humpback whale ecology and informs conservation throughout Hawaiʻi and Alaska.
Find Lewis on Google Scholar and ORCID:
Lewis Evans
Lewis' Research Aims
Lewis’ doctoral research integrates drone-based photogrammetry, photo-identification, and biologging to quantify the energetic and behavioral strategies of male humpback whales. His work examines how male energetic expenditure varies with body size and condition, how these physical drivers shape their ability to engage in mating behavior and compete for mates, and how disruptions to these processes may influence population trajectories. His research aims to:
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Quantify the energy expenditure of male humpback whales on their Hawaiian breeding grounds as a function of their length.
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Determine the physical and ecological drivers underlying male behavioral roles, mating strategies, and reproductive potential.
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Quantify the fine-scale energetics and behaviors of competitive groups and uncover the mechanisms that drive their structure and dynamics.
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Integrate evolutionary theory with energetic and behavioral data to determine which mating strategies are optimal for males across varying physical capacities.
Biography
Lewis grew up in the small town of Marlow, England, far from the ocean, but developed an early fascination with marine life after watching the BBC’s Blue Planet series. Inspired by this new curiosity, he decided to pursue marine biology and went on to complete a BSc in Marine Biology at Bangor University in Wales. Lewis first joined the Marine Mammal Research Program in 2021 as an intern, contributing to assessments of the North Pacific humpback whale population through photogrammetry and photo-identification, and assisting with spinner and bottlenose dolphin abundance and demography projects. These experiences solidified his passion for marine mammal research and conservation. Outside of his academic work, Lewis enjoys caring for his plants and pet pufferfish, and spending time outdoors whether in the field, hiking, or freediving.