Charles Yarish

Professor Charles Yarish is a prominent marine biologist at the University of Connecticut (UConn), holding joint appointments in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and the Department of Marine Sciences. He has been a faculty member since 1976, following his Ph.D. from Rutgers University (1976). His research focuses on seaweed aquaculture, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), and nutrient bioextraction systems, with global impacts on sustainable marine resource development.

Key affiliations include adjunct roles at Stony Brook University (SUNY) and visiting professorships in Germany, the Netherlands, and China. He has contributed to international initiatives, including the U.S. National Science Foundation’s genome project on Porphyra and the Kenya Aquacultural Project through the International Executive Service Corps. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 1992 Marinalg Award, the 2019 Phycological Society of America Award of Excellence, and election to the Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering (2008).

Yarish’s research emphasizes seaweed’s role in mitigating environmental challenges, such as carbon sequestration and reducing enteric methane emissions in livestock. He has pioneered the development of land-based and open-water aquaculture systems, including scalable kelp farming in Alaska, Florida, and Puerto Rico. His team’s innovations in biostimulant use and genetic selection for thermally resilient kelp strains further enhance industry sustainability.

Notable publications include co-editing Long Island Sound: Prospects for the Urban Sea (Springer, 2014) and high-impact studies on algal genomics, microplastic toxicity, and methane mitigation. His grants span federal agencies (e.g., NOAA, NSF) and international partnerships, reflecting a commitment to bridging science, industry, and policy.

Awards include the 2007 UConn Faculty Recognition Award, the 2012 Provost Award for Public Engagement, and the 2013 Fernald Award for best paper in Rhodora. His lab, the internationally recognized Seaweed Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, drives innovation in algal biotechnology and ecosystem-based solutions.