Brian Silliman

Brian Silliman is the Rachel Carson Distinguished Professor of Marine Conservation Biology at Duke University and Director of the Duke Wetland and Coasts Center. His research focuses on coastal ecosystem dynamics, including community ecology, conservation, restoration, and climate impacts. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Brown University (2004), with earlier degrees from the University of Virginia.

Key research areas include salt marsh resilience, coral reef mutualisms, and the role of predators in shaping ecosystems. He has authored over 200 journal articles and five books, including Marine Community Ecology and Conservation. His work emphasizes practical solutions to environmental challenges, such as optimizing restoration strategies and leveraging human infrastructure to protect natural habitats.

• Awards: Fellow of the Ecological Society of America (2023), AAAS Fellow (2015), and multiple grants including NSF Career Award (2011).
• Grants: Includes leadership on projects like the NSF-funded CIRCAD Center for Climate Adaptation and NCET Economic Engine.
• Lab: Silliman Lab, focusing on experimental and applied coastal ecology.

Recent publications highlight innovative approaches, such as using parasites to enhance ecosystem resistance and integrating built infrastructure with natural habitats. His work bridges ecological theory and real-world conservation outcomes, addressing global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.