Heather Hunt

Heather Hunt is a Professor and Marine Invertebrate Ecologist at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick (Saint John campus). Her research focuses on physical-biological interactions shaping benthic marine invertebrate communities, with emphasis on climate change impacts, ocean acidification, and early post-settlement processes in rocky and sedimentary habitats.

• PhD-level academic credentials
• Active in UNB Saint John's Faculty of Science, Applied Science and Engineering

Key research themes include:

• Quantifying effects of ocean acidification (sediment vs water column) on infaunal invertebrates
• Forecasting distributional shifts under ocean warming scenarios
• Investigating patch dynamics and spatial heterogeneity in marine communities
• Developing settlement cage methodologies for biodiversity monitoring
• Assessing aquaculture impacts on cobble habitat communities

Her lab utilizes advanced facilities including flow-through wet labs, straight/circular flumes, and acoustic current meters (ADVs/ADCPs). Collaborations span international institutions in the UK (Marine Biological Association), Canada (Université Laval), and the US, with recent projects examining topshell snail range shifts and NSERC-funded urchin recruitment studies.