I investigate processes at the ecosystem level using statistical modelling. My main interest in research is to understand ecological processes and population dynamics of aquatic organisms at the ecosystem level, in particular those aspects that are relevant to resource management. Recently I have been investigating spatial and temporal scales needed to study the spatial distribution of fish abundance and obtain indices of abundance of fish populations in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Since fish, as other aquatic organisms, cannot be directly observed large scale population studies must rely on analysis of data from scientific surveys or commercial operations. The analysis of this information requires specialized statistical modeling. Currently my focus is in the Great Lakes.

I am an ecologist who combines field and geospatial data and methods to study the pattern and process of ecological systems. I also strive to build bridges between science and social science.

What motivates my work is recognition of the complexity of the relationship of humans and ecological systems. These relationships and their emergent properties can be studied at different spatial scales and levels of organization. Knowledge gained from field studies, geospatial data, and analysis can be used to build models that help scientists and to understand the implications of human actions on the social and natural systems of which they are a part.

My work can be categorized in three areas: modeling and control of aggregated storage devices; power management; and system analysis of energy technologies and their impact.  I study how mechanical devices that are distributed in power systems – such as wind turbines, building thermal loads, and plug-in vehicles – influence system performance and each other.  I am drawn to problems influenced by constraints on the spatial and temporal availability of natural resources such as wind and sunlight, and where appropriate, I seek to understand the policy implications of my work. 

Haejin (Jinny) Han is a Research Fellow in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan. She received dual B.S.s in Environmental and Electronic Engineering and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering & Science at Ewha women’s University in South Korea and a Ph.D.

I conduct research on the Great Lakes and connecting tributaries including: work with yellow perch larvae in Lake Michigan, work with a remotely operated vehicle on offshore reefs in Lake Michigan to collect evidence of lake trout reproduction, work with exotic species, especially round and tubenose gobies and zebra/quagga mussels, and work with toxic substances, burbot, deepwater sculpin, and larval fish distribution in the Muskegon River. In the past I taught a class at the university entitled: Great Lakes Aquatic Field Methods in May most years and one termed Great Lakes Aquatic Ecosystems.

Teaching includes courses in fish ecology and fisheries science. Recent research includes exotic species impacts on aquatic food webs and predator-prey dynamics; understanding environmental factors influencing fish spawning, growth and survival; consequences of dam removal or altering hydropower operations for fish habitat and production; use of GIS to classify and map Great Lakes fish habitats; use of hydrodynamic circulation models and satellite imagery to understand effects of climate variability on advection and survival of fish eggs and larvae.