John J. Stachowicz

John J. Stachowicz is a Professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology at the University of California, Davis, with strong affiliations to the Bodega Marine Laboratory and the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute, where he serves as Interim Director. His research focuses on marine community ecology, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning.

• Position: Professor
• Institution: University of California, Davis
• Department: Department of Evolution and Ecology
• Research Hub: Bodega Marine Laboratory
• Leadership: Interim Director, Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute

He received his education from leading institutions:

• B.S. in Biology, Dartmouth College (1993)
• Ph.D., University of North Carolina (1998)

Stachowicz’s research centers on the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms shaping biodiversity in marine systems. His lab investigates how species and genetic diversity influence community stability and ecosystem function. Key areas include facilitation, mutualisms, biological invasions, and the impacts of environmental stressors on marine organisms. His work integrates field studies in Northern California estuaries with global collaborations, focusing on organisms from algae and seagrasses to invertebrates and microbial communities.

His recent publications (2025) emphasize seagrass (eelgrass) ecology, host-microbe dynamics, responses to sediment and pH stress, and disease patterns across biogeographic gradients. These studies reveal trends in climate resilience, microbial specificity, and the role of genetic and environmental variation in marine plant health.

Scientific awards and recognition include:

• Teaching Prize, UC Davis

He actively mentors graduate students and leads a vibrant research group. His lab has advised recent Ph.D. graduates such as Dr. Kollars and Dr. DuBois. He has secured significant research grants supporting work on seagrass genomics, microbiomes, and climate impacts. His lab collaborates widely, including with institutions like UC Merced, UAB, and UVI.

The Stachowicz Lab operates primarily through the Bodega Marine Laboratory, a key coastal research station, where field and experimental studies are conducted on marine community dynamics, species interactions, and ecosystem responses to global change.