Clements completed a Bachelor of Science at
Victoria University Wellington in 1981 and a Master of Science (Honours) at the
University of Auckland, New Zealand in 1985. He completed a
PhD in 1991 titled '''Gut microorganisms of surgeonfishes (family
Acanthuridae)' ''at
James Cook University. He was a recipient of the
Lizard Island Doctoral Fellowship, funded by the
Australian Museum. Clements then moved to work at the
University of Auckland, becoming a full professor in 2012. Clements is an expert in marine fish ecology and taxonomy, particularly focusing on herbivory in coral reef fishes, and the
phylogeny and
taxonomy of
Kyphosidae (
sea chubs) and
triplefins. In 2018, Clements and Associate Professor Lindsey White (
Auckland University of Technology) were awarded an Endeavour Grant from the New Zealand government titled "Microbial conversion of kelp to high nitrogen plant and animal feeds." The grant provided $6 million NZD to the project team until 2024 to investigate converting kelp into agricultural feed. He also co-authored an opinion piece on
academic freedom in universities in 2024. Notable doctoral students of Clements include
Maren Wellenreuther. == Selected works ==