Matt Duggan is a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University studying deep reef ecology, with a focus on fish communication and ecosystem function in mesophotic and rariphotic environments. His research integrates machine learning, bioacoustics, remote sensing, and abiotic loggers to better understand marine ecosystems and support conservation of vulnerable reef habitats.
At the core of his work is exploration and discovery of the natural world. Through field expeditions and collaborative research, he has had the opportunity to study some of the world’s most remote and understudied marine ecosystems firsthand.
Following graduation with top honors and dual degrees in Biological Sciences and Computer Science from the University of South Carolina Honors College, he received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. He now conducts research through the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, where he combines computational methods with ecological field research to investigate deep reef ecosystems and marine soundscapes.
During the first six months of his Ph.D. program, Matt joined the Smithsonian’s Deep Reef Observation Project (DROP), contributing to expeditions exploring mesophotic and rariphotic reefs throughout the Caribbean and Pacific.
In Curaçao, he founded the Deep Reef Bioacoustics Initiative, a collaborative research effort focused on understanding the acoustic ecology of deep reef ecosystems. This work investigates biodiversity shifts, anthropogenic impacts, and ecosystem function while establishing acoustic baselines for long-term monitoring and conservation of vulnerable reef habitats.
In parallel with his ecological research, Matt founded FinDrop, an accessible underwater acoustic recorder designed to expand the availability of marine bioacoustic technology. FinDrop utilizes arrays of digital MEMS microphones to achieve sensitivity and signal-to-noise performance comparable to leading commercial hydrophonesa at a fraction of the cost.
Designed with accessibility and affordability in mind, FinDrop combines open-source software with a user-friendly interface for researchers, conservationists, fisherpeople, and citizen scientists alike. Matt has led the hardware development, software engineering, and field deployment of the system across different reef systems in different Oceans. Commercial release is anticipated in late 2026.
Field exploration remains central to Matt’s research philosophy. Through scientific expeditions and collaborative fieldwork, he has conducted research in deep reef ecosystems across the Caribbean and Pacific, helping document some of the least explored marine habitats, but also fish behaviors, on Earth.
These expeditions combine underwater exploration, emerging technologies, and ecological research to better understand the structure, function, and resilience of the vertical reef portfolio of ecosystems in a rapidly changing ocean.
In addition to research and technology development, Matt is passionate about mentorship, leadership development, and science communication. In 2025, he was the first Netherlands Fulbright Fellow outside of the Netherlands and has mentored undergraduate research projects, supported interdisciplinary collaborations, and contributed to outreach efforts focused on increasing accessibility and inclusion within STEM to locals and students back in the United States. As a member of the Scientific Research Board of the Curacao Sea Aquarium, he supports logistics and research efforts focused on supporting the Curacao's National Nature Policy Plan.
He also regularly engages in public communication of science through talks, workshops, media, and educational outreach, helping connect marine conservation research with broader audiences.
