Behzad Mortazavi

Behzad Mortazavi is Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Biology at Syracuse University. His research focuses on hydrology and biogeochemistry, particularly the impact of urbanization, climate change, and oil spills on coastal marshes and biogeochemical cycles. He actively investigates carbon sequestration, nitrogen removal, and ecosystem recovery in natural and restored wetlands.

• Ph.D., Florida State University (1998)
• M.S., Universite Pierre-et-Marie-Curie (1992)
• B.S., Universite Pierre-et-Marie-Curie (1991, 1990)

His work examines how anthropogenic activities and natural perturbations alter carbon and nitrogen transformations in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Key projects include assessing coastal marsh loss in Alabama’s Mobile Bay via remote sensing (1984–2019) and studying microbial nitrogen removal in roadside drainage networks. His findings inform policy for ecosystem protection and restoration strategies.

Recent articles (2020–2023) emphasize coastal nutrient dynamics, climate change resilience, microbial processes in wetlands, and restoration efficacy. Collaborative studies span institutions like University of Alabama Birmingham and Auburn University Water Resources Center. Research applications include oil spill recovery, hurricane impact modeling, and urbanization effects on wetland integrity.

Active grants include "Investigating connectivity as a driver of biogeochemical flood response in wetland systems" (University of Alabama Birmingham/DOE, 2023–2025). He serves as a reviewer for journals like Geoderma, PlosOne, and Frontiers in Marine Science, and participates in NSF panels.

He presented at conferences such as AGU Fall Meeting (2022), Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting (2022), and CERF Biennial Conference (2021), addressing topics like burrowing crab impacts, nutrient loading effects, and sulfur-cycling bacterial diversity. Media features include the University of Alabama Alumni Magazine (2022).