Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
I am a spatial scientist interested in a wide range of environmental and ecological questions. As an interdisciplinary researcher, my ultimate goal is to identify and investigate issues and their causes to inform solutions that will positively impact our society today and in the future. This means conducting research that applies to solving emerging challenges as well as helpful in understanding them. I have explored questions in various fields, including macroecology, biodiversity conservation, remote sensing, spatial planning, water resources, sustainable fisheries and agriculture, and food security. Given the many large and diverse data sets that I work with, I am also involved in data science projects focused on developing tools for integrating, analysing and extracting information from multiple (often large) data sets more effectively, making it easier to include cross-disciplinary information in addressing complex environmental, social, and ecological questions.
At Macquarie University’s School of Natural Sciences, my research is on these sub-themes:
- Integrating landscape/seascape ecology and remote sensing, and big data to support spatially predictive modeling and mapping of key resource species.
- Applying remote sensing and big data to illuminate Global Environmental Change effects on coastal social-ecological resilience and tipping points.
- Linking geospatial data science to coastal areas, high seas, and open ocean policy and governance solutions.
- Applying remote sensing/big data to sustainability in the urban environment
- Spatial planning for sustainable management of natural resources in land-sea environments
I welcome inquiries from individuals wishing to undertake doctoral or post-doctoral research in the following themes: spatial ecology, seascape ecology, conservation biology, remote sensing, and linking geospatial science to policy.
Teaching
- Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing
- Applied GIS and Remote Sensing
- Blue Planet
- Consultancy Work Practice for postgraduates
External positions
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, ARC Center of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (ARC CEED) , The University of Queensland
2 Sept 2013 → 25 Feb 2016
Marine Geo-spatial Scientist, Wildlife Conservation Society
1 Jan 2007 → 30 Dec 2009
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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WIO-R2R: WIO-Ridge to Reef: An Ecosystem Based Approach to Biodiversity Conservation in the Western Indian Ocean
1/01/16 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
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Institutional effectiveness and political economy of coral reef restoration in the Philippines
Fabinyi, M., Barclay, K., McClean , N., Horigue, V., Mbui, M., Baria-Rodriguez , M. V., Harrison, P. L. & de la Cruz, D.
1/07/21 → 31/12/24
Project: Research
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Spatial Planning of Climate SMART and Resilient Port Cities in the WIO Region: A case for Mombasa and Durban
Gamoyo, M., Mbui, M., Molelu, O., Ewuradjoa Ogara, D., Davies, P., Jefwa, T., Mashafi, C. A., Kosore, C. M., Odhiambo, S. O., Allaoui, N. A. & Chang, M.
1/01/21 → 31/12/22
Project: Research
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Design and management considerations for the Kenya–Tanzania marine transboundary conservation area
Horigue, V., Tuda, A. & Maina, J., Feb 2025, In: Conservation Biology. 39, 1, p. 1-16 16 p., e14342.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Diversification of refugia types needed to secure the future of coral reefs subject to climate change
McClanahan, T. R., Darling, E. S., Beger, M., Fox, H. E., Grantham, H. S., Jupiter, S. D., Logan, C. A., Mcleod, E., McManus, L. C., Oddenyo, R. M., Surya, G. S., Wenger, A. S., Zinke, J. & Maina, J. M., Feb 2024, In: Conservation Biology. 38, 1, p. 1-19 19 p., e14108.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Citations (Scopus)134 Downloads (Pure) -
Mainstreaming connectivity science in community-based fisheries management
Fontoura, L., Maina, J., Stow, A., Tawake, A., Horigue, V. & Stockwell, B., Dec 2024, In: Nature Sustainability. 7, 12, p. 1566-1573 8 p., e06766.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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What remains to be discovered: a global assessment of tree species inventory completeness
Chanachai, J., Asamoah, E. F., Maina, J. M., Wilson, P. D., Nipperess, D. A., Esperon-Rodriguez, M. & Beaumont, L. J., Jul 2024, In: Diversity and Distributions. 30, 7, p. 1-16 16 p., e13862.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)1 Downloads (Pure) -
An indicator-based approach to assess sustainability of port-cities and marine management in the Global South
Ogara, D. A. E., Morishita, J., Davies, P. J., Mbui, M., Gamoyo, M., Njoroge, N., Chann, I. O., Igesa, B. S. & Ochieng, S. O., 2023, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 10, p. 1-20 20 p., 1052128.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Citations (Scopus)195 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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2020 UNSW Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
Mbui, Maina (Recipient) & Cinner, Joshua E. (Team leader), 24 Dec 2020
Prize
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Activities
- 1 Membership of network
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IUCN-CI Biodiversity Assessment Unit (External organisation)
Maina Mbui (Chair)
1 Jan 2018 → 1 Dec 2022Activity: Membership › Membership of network
Press/Media
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Coral reef connectivity promotes biodiversity and fisheries conservation
25/01/22
1 item of Media coverage, 1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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It’s complicated: coral bleaching is caused by more than just heat
1/10/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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A New Hope for Coral Reefs: Largest-Ever Study Unlocks Global Solution to Save Coral Communities
13/08/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
Impacts
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Enhancing coastal and marine management through research, stakeholder engagement, and bridging the gap between science and policy
Maina Mbui (Participant), Vera Horigue (Participant), Luisa Fontoura (Participant), Stephanie D'agata (Participant) & Victoria Graham (Participant)
Impact: Environment impacts, Economy impacts, Science impacts, Policy impacts