Joshua Coste is a marine biologist and ecologist specializing in movement ecology, navigation behavior, and population genetics. He completed his BEST-ALI master’s program at the University of La Réunion and has conducted research at the Environment and Sustainability Institute (University of Exeter). His work focuses on seabird homing navigation and population connectivity, integrating tracking and genetic techniques. He has been involved in international fieldwork, collaborating with the ENTROPIE lab, SEOR, and the UK Chagos Archipelago research team. His latest research, published in Animal Behaviour, highlights the adaptive navigation of red-footed boobies. He has presented at international conferences, including the 16th International Seabird Group Conference.
Profile
Education 🎓
Joshua earned his Master’s in Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution from the University of La Réunion, specializing in tropical, aquatic, coastal, and island ecosystems (2022–2024). His bachelor’s degree in Biology-Ecology was from Nantes University, France (2019–2022). He also holds a scientific high school diploma with honors, specializing in Engineering Sciences. His academic training includes practical work in marine biology, genetic analysis, and ecological modeling. His education has equipped him with expertise in spatial analysis, seabird tracking, and conservation genetics.
Experience 👨🏫
Joshua has completed multiple research internships worldwide. At the University of Exeter, he studied the homing navigation of red-footed boobies using GPS data. At the University of La Réunion, he analyzed the genetic structure of Barau’s Petrel colonies. His internship at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, involved studying coral competition. At IFREMER Bretagne, he worked on archaea cultures in extreme environments. He also supported students with disabilities at Handisup, Nantes. His voluntary experience includes seabird monitoring with ENTROPIE, coral reef assessments, and conservation work with BESTRUN.
Research Interests 🔬
Joshua specializes in movement ecology, behavioral ecology, and population genetics. His research explores seabird navigation, homing efficiency, and environmental adaptation. His study on red-footed boobies demonstrated how seabirds adjust flight paths based on daylight constraints. He has worked on connectivity between seabird colonies, philopatry’s influence on genetic diversity, and coral reef ecosystem dynamics. His interdisciplinary approach combines fieldwork, genetic analysis, and computational modeling.
Awards & Recognitions 🏅
Joshua was nominated for the Young Scientist Award by the International Cognitive Scientist Awards. His research on seabird navigation was recognized at the 16th International Seabird Group Conference. His Animal Behaviour publication has gained academic recognition. He actively contributes to international collaborations in marine biology and conservation.
Publications 📚
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Homing navigation is optimized to diurnal constraints in a tropical seabird, the red-footed booby
Animal Behaviour
2025-04 | Journal article
CONTRIBUTORS: Joshua Coste; Stephen C. Votier; Ruth E. Dunn; Robin Freeman; Malcolm A. Nicoll; Peter Carr; Hannah Wood; Alice M. Trevail