Karen Merritt

Karen Merritt is an Assistant Professor in the Corning School of Ocean Studies at Maine Maritime Academy, where she joined in 2023. She is affiliated with the Department of Ocean Studies, contributing to academic and research initiatives in coastal and geological oceanography.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Maine, an MPH in Global and Community Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a BA in Geology from Carleton College. These qualifications support her interdisciplinary work bridging environmental science and public health.

Karen's research focuses on environmental geology and public health engineering, particularly on chemical fate and transport in estuarine and coastal environments. Her work spans the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the European Union, addressing contaminant dynamics such as mercury from chlor-alkali industries, sediment transport in salt marshes, and the biogeochemical processes influencing contaminant bioavailability. She also investigates how urban infrastructure contributes to racialized health disparities through environmental exposures.

While no publications are listed in the provided text, her research interests suggest strong engagement with environmental justice, industrial pollution legacy, and coastal ecosystem health, likely contributing to policy and community impact.

• Karen Merritt has not been mentioned as receiving any scientific awards in the provided material.

Karen advises students in ocean studies and environmental science, though specific names of advisees are not listed. There is no mention of grants or funding sources in the provided information. Her role integrates teaching, research, and community-focused environmental analysis.

Karen Merritt is actively involved in the Corning School of Ocean Studies and contributes to the academic and research missions of the Department of Ocean Studies at Maine Maritime Academy. No specific lab or research team is mentioned, but her work implies collaboration across environmental science and public health domains.