James Davis Reimer’s research focuses on the biodiversity of understudied marine invertebrate groups (so-called “minor taxa”), primarily benthic cnidarians including zoantharians and their endosymbionts, as well as octocorals, from shallow tropical coral reefs to the deep sea. Recent research has also examined the impact of coastal development on marine diversity and ecosystems.
 

Since 2007, he has been based at the University of the Ryukyus, where he is currently an Associate Professor.

In 2015, he was awarded the Okinawa Research Prize for science contributing to the well-being and understanding of the Ryukyu Islands.