Jay Levine

Jay Levine is a Professor at NC State University and Co-Director of the Climate Change and Society Graduate Program. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill. His research focuses on aquatic epidemiology, freshwater mussel conservation, and ecosystem health. Dr. Levine leads the Aquatic Epidemiology and Conservation Laboratory, which investigates imperiled freshwater invertebrates and develops diagnostic techniques for their conservation. His work addresses topics such as mussel behavior monitoring, septic system malfunction prediction, and mitochondrial DNA testing for field applications.

Levine’s community engagement includes founding the Homework Haven after-school tutoring program in South Raleigh and supporting environmental restoration and stormwater mitigation initiatives. His research spans over three decades, encompassing arthropod-borne diseases (e.g., Lyme disease), marine bivalve safety, veterinary health in companion animals, and microbial community dynamics in freshwater systems. He has collaborated on projects like the Wilson Bay Initiative and studies on salmonella prevalence in poultry and oysters.

His publications highlight innovations in mussel behavior monitoring using 3D imaging, septic system inspection methods via AI, and advancements in molecular diagnostics for ecological and public health applications. Levine’s work bridges academic research with community-driven environmental and public health solutions.