Bruno John

John Bruno is the Chi Omega Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on marine biodiversity, coral reef conservation, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. He earned his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Brown University and conducted postdoctoral research at Cornell University.

His research group investigates ocean ecosystem dynamics, including coral reef decline, predator biodiversity in estuaries, and the effectiveness of marine protected areas. Key projects include studies on herbivory in the Galápagos and Belize, lionfish invasions, and climate change effects on Caribbean reefs.

• Education: Ph.D., Brown University (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology); Postdoc, Cornell University (Disease Ecology)
• Lab Locations: Galápagos Islands, Caribbean (Belize, Cayman Islands)

Research interests include marine macroecology, predator-prey dynamics, and the interplay between human activities and ecosystem resilience. Recent work highlights the urgency of addressing coral reef degradation and the need for adaptive conservation strategies.

His advising philosophy emphasizes student independence and high publication standards. Students are funded through NSF fellowships, TAships, and external grants. Current and past labs include studies on shark ecology, salt marsh restoration, and fisheries management.

He maintains an active lab blog (SeaMonster) and collaborates globally on projects linking theory to applied conservation. His work has been featured in the NYT and Washington Post, emphasizing public communication of marine science challenges.