Academic focus: Coastal sustainability, disaster recovery, watershed management
Research summary: I work on human-environment interactions in riverine and coastal marsh ecosystems, as well as disaster-prone coastal cities. In riverine ecosystems I have focused on water quality monitoring, restoration of ecosystem functionality and conservation of at-risk migratory fishes. My work on coastal ecosystems has examined the resilience of salt marshes to global change, including the eco-evolutionary dynamics of plant responses to rising atmospheric CO2, inundation and eutrophication. I have also worked on coastal community resilience following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, as well as plant-microbial responses to oiling and use of marsh plants to remediate and rebuild affected coastlines. And, for the better part of two decades, I have been pursuing work on post-Katrina New Orleans, with a focus on urban social-ecological diversity and post-disaster zoonotic disease risk.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Treasure hunting. I enjoy sourcing and collecting decorative and folk art.
What brought you to Cornell CALS?
CALS presents tremendous opportunities to collaborate with amazing faculty and students to address the defining challenges of our time.
What is an interesting fact about your field of study that you think everyone should know?
Some places where I work are idyllic…from a distance. Salt marshes are a great example. From afar, marshes afford a sense of calm and tranquility. But working in salt marshes is not for the faint of heart. On any given day, you might be covered in mud and swarmed by biting flies. And the smell…well, the smell is often reminiscent of rotten eggs.
Why did you feel inspired to pursue a career in this field?
Working in my field of study offers a deep and satisfying sense of purpose: It affords opportunities for value-driven fundamental discovery, where answering questions helps shed light on the natural world while advancing human health and well-being.
What advice do you have for students interested in your field of study?
Strike a balance between challenge-driven and question-driven pursuits.
What are your current or future outreach/extension projects?
I am currently working with academic and industry partners to develop resources to improve carbon capture and storage in coastal marshes, which have a disproportionate impact on the global carbon cycle.
Learn more about Michael from his lab website.
