Reginal M. Harrell

Dr. Reginal M. Harrell is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science & Technology and Director of the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. He holds concurrent roles as an ordained Southern Baptist minister and retired volunteer pastor, uniquely bridging science, theology, and ethics. His expertise spans fisheries and wildlife management, ecological ethics, and conservation biology with global field experience in Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Education: B.S. Zoology (Clemson University, 1975), M.S. Wildlife Biology (Clemson, 1977), Ph.D. Biology (University of South Carolina, 1984), MBA (Salisbury University, 2005), and MDiv (Southeastern Baptist Seminary, 2011).

Research focuses on ethical stewardship of natural resources, particularly endangered African vultures, and integrating cultural, religious, and scientific perspectives in conservation. His work emphasizes bioethical frameworks for aquaculture and wildlife management, including stress physiology studies in fish and hybridization impacts.

Awards include Fellowships from the American Fisheries Society and Bush Center for Faith and Culture, and the 2021 Dean Gordon Cairns Award for Teaching and Creative Work. He has authored over 135 publications, led USDA-funded projects, and served in senior administrative roles including Associate Dean for Research.

Teaching spans undergraduate/graduate courses on aquaculture, ethics, and environmental policy. Current projects involve One Health approaches to vulture conservation and ethical dimensions of marine biotechnology.