Benjamin Hlina, PhD
@benjaminhlina.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Fellow @UWindsor working on spatial ecology and food web dynamics on Lakes Ontario and Huron| 🇺🇸🇨🇦 | benjaminhlina.com
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Benjamin L. Hlina, PhD
Welcome to my site! I am a fisheries scientist and programmer currently based at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research working with Drs. Aaron Fisk (University of Windsor) and Tim Johns...
benjaminhlina.com
I don’t use social media much, so here is a bit about me:
I love fish, nature, R, outdoor recreation, music, and books. If you want to know more about me checkout my website and blog at benjaminhlina.com and blog.benjaminhlina.com get outside!
I love fish, nature, R, outdoor recreation, music, and books. If you want to know more about me checkout my website and blog at benjaminhlina.com and blog.benjaminhlina.com get outside!
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
#30daymapchallenge | Day 22 Data: Natural Earth | The Great Islands
Earlier this summer I finished this print version of my map from last year depicting our Great Lakes as islands. Been trying to learn more about lighting techniques in Blender—I think this was a big leap forward from 2024 version!
Earlier this summer I finished this print version of my map from last year depicting our Great Lakes as islands. Been trying to learn more about lighting techniques in Blender—I think this was a big leap forward from 2024 version!
November 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM
#30daymapchallenge | Day 22 Data: Natural Earth | The Great Islands
Earlier this summer I finished this print version of my map from last year depicting our Great Lakes as islands. Been trying to learn more about lighting techniques in Blender—I think this was a big leap forward from 2024 version!
Earlier this summer I finished this print version of my map from last year depicting our Great Lakes as islands. Been trying to learn more about lighting techniques in Blender—I think this was a big leap forward from 2024 version!
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
Today is World Fisheries Day! 🎣
Fishing has been an essential part of human history for thousands of years and continues to support communities around the world. In recent decades, technological advances have expanded the range of fishing vessels and increased their efficiency,
1/5
Fishing has been an essential part of human history for thousands of years and continues to support communities around the world. In recent decades, technological advances have expanded the range of fishing vessels and increased their efficiency,
1/5
November 21, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Today is World Fisheries Day! 🎣
Fishing has been an essential part of human history for thousands of years and continues to support communities around the world. In recent decades, technological advances have expanded the range of fishing vessels and increased their efficiency,
1/5
Fishing has been an essential part of human history for thousands of years and continues to support communities around the world. In recent decades, technological advances have expanded the range of fishing vessels and increased their efficiency,
1/5
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
Michigan lawmakers want to greatly increase funding for invasive mussel control research in the #GreatLakes to $500 million over the next 10 years - as Great Lakes Fishery Commission's Greg McClinchey says in this article: "Mussels are this generation’s sea lamprey" bridgemi.com/michigan-env...
Michigan lawmakers seek $500M to stop mussels, save Great Lakes whitefish - Bridge Michigan
US Reps. Debbie Dingell and Tim Walberg are planning legislation to boost research to control invasive mussels, following Bridge Michigan reporting about the impending collapse of whitefish.
bridgemi.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Michigan lawmakers want to greatly increase funding for invasive mussel control research in the #GreatLakes to $500 million over the next 10 years - as Great Lakes Fishery Commission's Greg McClinchey says in this article: "Mussels are this generation’s sea lamprey" bridgemi.com/michigan-env...
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
Sea lamprey control - a joint effort between the US + Canada - has allowed lake trout to make a comeback in the #GreatLakes over the past 60 years. This fall marks the 3rd year the Fond du Lac Band has been able to practice the tradition of subsistence netting www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Fond du Lac Band resumes tradition of harvesting Lake Superior trout to continue culture, feed students
Lake trout were nearly wiped out in Lake Superior by the invasive sea lamprey. But a successful control project has helped bring the trout back from the brink. That’s allowing the Fond du Lac Band of ...
www.mprnews.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Sea lamprey control - a joint effort between the US + Canada - has allowed lake trout to make a comeback in the #GreatLakes over the past 60 years. This fall marks the 3rd year the Fond du Lac Band has been able to practice the tradition of subsistence netting www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
Some good advice in here but one critical piece I always give is this:
Get a hobby. Preferably a mildly social one. One that has NOTHING TO DO WITH SCIENCE. NOTHING.
You need friends. Not colleagues. FRIENDS. Friends who will love you no matter your research prospects...
Get a hobby. Preferably a mildly social one. One that has NOTHING TO DO WITH SCIENCE. NOTHING.
You need friends. Not colleagues. FRIENDS. Friends who will love you no matter your research prospects...
What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone considering a PhD?
We asked 3785 doctoral candidates across 107 countries for their hard-won wisdom
go.nature.com/4nDjJ7t
We asked 3785 doctoral candidates across 107 countries for their hard-won wisdom
go.nature.com/4nDjJ7t
27 things we wish we’d known when we started our PhDs
Nature’s survey of PhD candidates reveals hard-won wisdom on choosing supervisors, managing mental health and surviving academic culture.
go.nature.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Some good advice in here but one critical piece I always give is this:
Get a hobby. Preferably a mildly social one. One that has NOTHING TO DO WITH SCIENCE. NOTHING.
You need friends. Not colleagues. FRIENDS. Friends who will love you no matter your research prospects...
Get a hobby. Preferably a mildly social one. One that has NOTHING TO DO WITH SCIENCE. NOTHING.
You need friends. Not colleagues. FRIENDS. Friends who will love you no matter your research prospects...
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
FINALLY! 🥳
A Baltic Sea Tracking Network is on the way!! Thanks in part to a receiver loan from @oceantracking.bsky.social members of ETN based at SLU & LUKE (Finland) have deployed what we hope is just the beginning 💪
You can find out more about the project here: tinyurl.com/yc5nhxr5
A Baltic Sea Tracking Network is on the way!! Thanks in part to a receiver loan from @oceantracking.bsky.social members of ETN based at SLU & LUKE (Finland) have deployed what we hope is just the beginning 💪
You can find out more about the project here: tinyurl.com/yc5nhxr5
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences launches large-scale fish tracking – aiming to provide new insights about fish in the Baltic Sea
SLU has deployed 80 acoustic receivers along two lines in the Baltic Sea. By listening for signals from tagged fish, the receivers will reveal migration routes and uncover new insights on life beneath...
tinyurl.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
FINALLY! 🥳
A Baltic Sea Tracking Network is on the way!! Thanks in part to a receiver loan from @oceantracking.bsky.social members of ETN based at SLU & LUKE (Finland) have deployed what we hope is just the beginning 💪
You can find out more about the project here: tinyurl.com/yc5nhxr5
A Baltic Sea Tracking Network is on the way!! Thanks in part to a receiver loan from @oceantracking.bsky.social members of ETN based at SLU & LUKE (Finland) have deployed what we hope is just the beginning 💪
You can find out more about the project here: tinyurl.com/yc5nhxr5
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
This package has data that can be used instead of nycflights13 to teach joins, and also to look at temporal trends and draw maps. It has to coolest hexsticker vahdatjavad.github.io/ecotourism/ and cute creatures: mantarays, gouldian finches, glow worms and orchids
September 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM
This package has data that can be used instead of nycflights13 to teach joins, and also to look at temporal trends and draw maps. It has to coolest hexsticker vahdatjavad.github.io/ecotourism/ and cute creatures: mantarays, gouldian finches, glow worms and orchids
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
I haven't used {DeclareDesign} before, but I have been using {marginaleffects} in my simulation-based power analyses for the past year or so, and I recommend you do too.
The new {marginaleffects} release for #RStats (0.30.0) comes with two new vignettes:
1. Speed up computation with automatic differentiation (often 10x gains) marginaleffects.com/bonus/perfor...
2. Power analyses with {marginaleffects} and {DeclareDesign}. marginaleffects.com/bonus/power....
1. Speed up computation with automatic differentiation (often 10x gains) marginaleffects.com/bonus/perfor...
2. Power analyses with {marginaleffects} and {DeclareDesign}. marginaleffects.com/bonus/power....
37 Performance – Model to Meaning
marginaleffects.com
September 13, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I haven't used {DeclareDesign} before, but I have been using {marginaleffects} in my simulation-based power analyses for the past year or so, and I recommend you do too.
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
September 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
An Op Ed in the @theglobeandmail.com on World Lake Day. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Let’s both celebrate – and worry about – our Great Lakes on World Lake Day
Canada’s freshwater benefits us greatly - and we need to return the favour
www.theglobeandmail.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:32 PM
An Op Ed in the @theglobeandmail.com on World Lake Day. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
Obviously, and laughably wrong. Whales do not in fact fly into windmill blades. Entanglement in fishing gear, and getting hit by ships is the main cause of right whale deaths. And the other whale species are doing just fine in the Atlantic.
RFK Jr claims that windmills are "wiping out the whale population" in the Atlantic
August 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Obviously, and laughably wrong. Whales do not in fact fly into windmill blades. Entanglement in fishing gear, and getting hit by ships is the main cause of right whale deaths. And the other whale species are doing just fine in the Atlantic.
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
By sequencing DNA from a bloom near Barker’s Island in Superior last fall, researchers linked the toxins to Microcystis aeruginosa. The Minnesota Sea Grant called it a “breakthrough discovery.”
Researchers ID organisms behind algae blooms near Barker's Island
By sequencing DNA from a bloom near Barker’s Island in Superior last fall, researchers linked the toxins to Microcystis aeruginosa. The Minnesota Sea Grant called it a “breakthrough discovery.”
www.duluthnewstribune.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:47 AM
By sequencing DNA from a bloom near Barker’s Island in Superior last fall, researchers linked the toxins to Microcystis aeruginosa. The Minnesota Sea Grant called it a “breakthrough discovery.”
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
Fish telemetry is helping researchers uncover critical data to guide conservation decisions. Submit your research or review on telemetry applications for managing #aquaticspecies for this collection. Submissions open until Sept 30, 2025 ▶️ buff.ly/Y2FTYRL @icft2025.bsky.social
May 21, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Fish telemetry is helping researchers uncover critical data to guide conservation decisions. Submit your research or review on telemetry applications for managing #aquaticspecies for this collection. Submissions open until Sept 30, 2025 ▶️ buff.ly/Y2FTYRL @icft2025.bsky.social
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
NASA-funded 2.5-3y position at St. Mary's College of Maryland using #acoustictelemetry and observing system data to create real-time forecasts of Atlantic sturgeon:
www.smcm.edu/hr/smcm-job/...
#trackingnotslacking 🦑🐟🧪🌎
www.smcm.edu/hr/smcm-job/...
#trackingnotslacking 🦑🐟🧪🌎
Marine Science Research Fellow
The Department of Marine Science at St. Mary’s College of Maryland is accepting applications for a temporary appointment as Marine Science Research Fellow, beginning Fall 2025. This appointment wil…
www.smcm.edu
June 3, 2025 at 11:42 PM
NASA-funded 2.5-3y position at St. Mary's College of Maryland using #acoustictelemetry and observing system data to create real-time forecasts of Atlantic sturgeon:
www.smcm.edu/hr/smcm-job/...
#trackingnotslacking 🦑🐟🧪🌎
www.smcm.edu/hr/smcm-job/...
#trackingnotslacking 🦑🐟🧪🌎
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
Sea Grant work helps coastal communities become more resilient to disasters, promotes sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and contributes to healthier coastal ecosystems for all. In 2023 alone, a federal investment in Sea Grant of $94 million resulted in $828.3 million economic benefit.
May 30, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Sea Grant work helps coastal communities become more resilient to disasters, promotes sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and contributes to healthier coastal ecosystems for all. In 2023 alone, a federal investment in Sea Grant of $94 million resulted in $828.3 million economic benefit.
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
This year's Jack Christie/Ken H. Loftus Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions toward Understanding Healthy #GreatLakes Ecosystems from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to @margaretdocker.bsky.social!
May 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
This year's Jack Christie/Ken H. Loftus Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions toward Understanding Healthy #GreatLakes Ecosystems from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to @margaretdocker.bsky.social!
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
New #AcousticTelemetry mooring design recs backed by decades of experience from @oceantracking.bsky.social and @imos-aus.bsky.social:
repository.oceanbestpractices.org/handle/11329...
Complete with a repo to further community development!
github.com/ocean-tracki...
🌎🧪🐟🦑 #trackingnotslacking
repository.oceanbestpractices.org/handle/11329...
Complete with a repo to further community development!
github.com/ocean-tracki...
🌎🧪🐟🦑 #trackingnotslacking
May 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
New #AcousticTelemetry mooring design recs backed by decades of experience from @oceantracking.bsky.social and @imos-aus.bsky.social:
repository.oceanbestpractices.org/handle/11329...
Complete with a repo to further community development!
github.com/ocean-tracki...
🌎🧪🐟🦑 #trackingnotslacking
repository.oceanbestpractices.org/handle/11329...
Complete with a repo to further community development!
github.com/ocean-tracki...
🌎🧪🐟🦑 #trackingnotslacking
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
We had an amazing time on Sunday at Earth Day at Malden Park. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to chat and learn about water monitoring, and the work we are doing with RAEON. We are looking forward to seeing you again at our community science events starting this month! shorturl.at/FJN6L
April 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
We had an amazing time on Sunday at Earth Day at Malden Park. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to chat and learn about water monitoring, and the work we are doing with RAEON. We are looking forward to seeing you again at our community science events starting this month! shorturl.at/FJN6L
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
mort: An R package to conservatively identify mortalities and shed tags in passive telemetry arrays. Journal of Animal Ecology, 00, 1–13. doi.org/10.1111/1365...
mort: An R package to conservatively identify mortalities and shed tags in passive telemetry arrays
Neglecting to consider mortalities can generate bias in telemetry studies. The R package mort identifies potential mortalities or expelled tags in passive telemetry arrays. Thresholds are derived fro...
doi.org
April 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
mort: An R package to conservatively identify mortalities and shed tags in passive telemetry arrays. Journal of Animal Ecology, 00, 1–13. doi.org/10.1111/1365...
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
Long-term convergence of salmonid isotopic niche in Lake Ontario
#GreatLakes 🧪
"Lake Ontario salmonid isotopic niches have converged through time, suggesting energy sources for salmonids have become more similar."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#GreatLakes 🧪
"Lake Ontario salmonid isotopic niches have converged through time, suggesting energy sources for salmonids have become more similar."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Long-term convergence of salmonid isotopic niche in Lake Ontario
Investigating niches through time to reveal species’ responses to ecological stressors is critical for successful resource management. Stable isotope …
www.sciencedirect.com
March 31, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Long-term convergence of salmonid isotopic niche in Lake Ontario
#GreatLakes 🧪
"Lake Ontario salmonid isotopic niches have converged through time, suggesting energy sources for salmonids have become more similar."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#GreatLakes 🧪
"Lake Ontario salmonid isotopic niches have converged through time, suggesting energy sources for salmonids have become more similar."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Fun surprise today…Mark Carney happen to show up next to building I work in. Shook his hand and said support science!
#canadastrong
#canadastrong
March 26, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Fun surprise today…Mark Carney happen to show up next to building I work in. Shook his hand and said support science!
#canadastrong
#canadastrong
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
OTN’s study hall promotes a culture of open science by providing a platform for transparent discussions and problem-solving. These informal sessions on Thursdays can be a valuable resource for anyone interested in aquatic telemetry. Learn more: oceantrackingnetwork.org/study-hall/
March 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
OTN’s study hall promotes a culture of open science by providing a platform for transparent discussions and problem-solving. These informal sessions on Thursdays can be a valuable resource for anyone interested in aquatic telemetry. Learn more: oceantrackingnetwork.org/study-hall/
Trophic Ecologists - new pkg alert - {trps} (pronounced ‘tropes’): Bayesian Trophic Position Models using 'Stan'. Estimates trophic position using equations from Post (2002), Vander Zanden & Vadeboncoeur (2002), & Heuvel et al. (2024).
benjaminhlina.github.io/trps/
#rstats #ecology #foodwebs
benjaminhlina.github.io/trps/
#rstats #ecology #foodwebs
Bayesian Trophic Position Models using stan
Bayesian trophic position models using stan by leveraging brms for stable isotope data. Trophic position models are derived by using equations from Post (2002) <doi:10.1890/0012-9658(2002)083[0703:USI...
benjaminhlina.github.io
March 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Trophic Ecologists - new pkg alert - {trps} (pronounced ‘tropes’): Bayesian Trophic Position Models using 'Stan'. Estimates trophic position using equations from Post (2002), Vander Zanden & Vadeboncoeur (2002), & Heuvel et al. (2024).
benjaminhlina.github.io/trps/
#rstats #ecology #foodwebs
benjaminhlina.github.io/trps/
#rstats #ecology #foodwebs
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
AOC: What they like to call as radical, I believe is common sense.
I believe that when a person gets sick, they shouldn’t go bankrupt in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Common sense
I believe that a minimum wage should cover the minimum cost to live. Common sense...
I believe that when a person gets sick, they shouldn’t go bankrupt in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Common sense
I believe that a minimum wage should cover the minimum cost to live. Common sense...
March 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM
AOC: What they like to call as radical, I believe is common sense.
I believe that when a person gets sick, they shouldn’t go bankrupt in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Common sense
I believe that a minimum wage should cover the minimum cost to live. Common sense...
I believe that when a person gets sick, they shouldn’t go bankrupt in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Common sense
I believe that a minimum wage should cover the minimum cost to live. Common sense...
Reposted by Benjamin Hlina, PhD
⚡️FIGHT THE OLIGARCHY RALLY ⚡️
STARTING TOMORROW.
Nevada. Arizona. Colorado.
You, me, and Bernie.
Dem and GOP districts. ❤️💙
See you there 💪🏽🌞
STARTING TOMORROW.
Nevada. Arizona. Colorado.
You, me, and Bernie.
Dem and GOP districts. ❤️💙
See you there 💪🏽🌞
March 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
⚡️FIGHT THE OLIGARCHY RALLY ⚡️
STARTING TOMORROW.
Nevada. Arizona. Colorado.
You, me, and Bernie.
Dem and GOP districts. ❤️💙
See you there 💪🏽🌞
STARTING TOMORROW.
Nevada. Arizona. Colorado.
You, me, and Bernie.
Dem and GOP districts. ❤️💙
See you there 💪🏽🌞