Bradley Peterson

Bradley J. Peterson is a Professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) at Stony Brook University. His research focuses on marine community ecology, particularly the community ecology of seagrass-dominated ecosystems. He earned his Ph.D. from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and University of South Alabama in 1998. His work integrates experimental ecology and biogeochemistry to study controlling mechanisms of community structure and stability, with a focus on positive biological interactions, habitat utilization, and ecosystem engineering.

Peterson’s lab conducts field and experimental studies on seagrass ecosystems, addressing topics such as climate change impacts, ocean acidification, and predator-prey dynamics. Recent research includes studies on seagrass resilience to warming, the role of sponges in nutrient cycling, and the effects of marine protected areas on trophic interactions. His lab also explores the movement ecology of marine species using acoustic telemetry.

• Education: Ph.D., 1998, Dauphin Island Sea Lab / University of South Alabama
• Research Interests: Seagrass community ecology, climate change, ocean acidification, benthic-pelagic coupling, and marine conservation.

His publications span over two decades, with recent contributions on shark behavior, coral restoration, and seagrass disease dynamics. He mentors a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students, emphasizing hands-on fieldwork and interdisciplinary approaches.