Kelly Darnell

Dr. Kelly Darnell is a coastal and benthic ecologist affiliated with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her research centers on seagrass ecosystems, focusing on seagrass-animal interactions, reproductive biology, and physiological responses to environmental stressors. She employs hypothesis-driven laboratory and field experiments to advance coastal management, conservation, and restoration in the Gulf of Mexico and other regions.

Degrees:

• PhD in Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin (2014)

Research Interests:

• Marine and coastal ecosystem dynamics
• Interactions between seagrass habitats and marine organisms
• Seagrass reproduction and ecological resilience
• Physiological and ecological impacts of climate change and pollution

Contact Information:

• Email: Kelly.Darnell@usm.edu
• Phone: 228.872.4278
• Location: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Caylor 216