Brent Hughes

Brent Hughes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Sonoma State University. His research focuses on coastal ecosystem stability, particularly seagrass, salt marsh, and kelp habitats. He investigates how predator recovery, climate change, and anthropogenic threats impact ecosystem resilience and diversity.

• Education: Ph.D. (2014) and postdoctoral training at UC Santa Cruz, Duke University, and University of Washington.

Hughes's recent publications highlight sea otter-mediated trophic cascades, ecosystem service valuation, and conservation aquaculture across marine and estuarine environments. His work bridges ecological theory with management applications, emphasizing anthropogenic stressors and climate change mitigation.

Notable scientific recognition:

• David H. Smith Research Conservation Fellow (2015-2017) at Duke University

Hughes supervises graduate students and undergraduate interns, including Raymond W.W., Grimes T.M., Rudebusch J.A., and Bolwerk A., in studies spanning seagrass meadows, predator-prey dynamics, and coastal restoration.