Edward Buskey

Dr. Edward Buskey is a Professor of Marine Science and holds the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Regents Chair in Marine Science at the University of Texas at Austin. He currently serves as both the Director of the University of Texas Marine Science Institute and the Chair of the Department of Marine Science. His extensive career at UT Austin spans over three decades, beginning as an Assistant Professor in 1990, advancing to Associate Professor in 1993, and becoming a full Professor in 1999.

Dr. Buskey's research expertise centers on two primary areas: zooplankton ecology and estuarine ecology. Within zooplankton ecology, he investigates the behavior and sensory perception of marine zooplankton, bioluminescence, predator-prey interactions, photobehavior, and the role of zooplankton in phytoplankton bloom dynamics. His estuarine research focuses on climate change impacts, freshwater inflows, nutrient loads, and harmful algal blooms within the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve. A significant portion of his recent work examines the effects of crude oil and dispersants on marine ecosystems, particularly following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Dr. Buskey's publication record demonstrates consistent research productivity, with numerous articles published in high-impact journals such as Science, Environmental Pollution, and Marine Pollution Bulletin. His recent work (2018-2024) shows a continued focus on marine plankton ecology with increasing emphasis on oil spill impacts, climate change effects, and coastal infrastructure modifications. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaborations with scientists from multiple institutions.

• National Estuarine Research Reserve Association National Impact Award (2016)
• Teaching Excellence Award, College of Natural Science, University of Texas at Austin (2004)
• Paul Harris Fellowship, Rotary International (2000)

Dr. Buskey has secured substantial research funding through various grants and initiatives, including leadership of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative DROPPS consortiums. He has mentored numerous graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, as indicated by the asterisked authorships on many publications. His laboratory runs the System Wide Monitoring Program within the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, which conducts continuous water quality monitoring and regular biological assessments.