John M. Carroll

John M. Carroll is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Georgia Southern University and an affiliate of the James H. Oliver, Jr., Institute for Coastal Plain Science. With expertise in marine ecology and benthic systems, Dr. Carroll leads the Carroll Restoration and Benthic EcologY Lab, focusing on the intersection of fundamental ecological principles and practical conservation applications.

• Ph.D. in Marine and Atmospheric Science, SUNY Stony Brook (2012)
• B.S. in Marine Science, Southampton College of Long Island University (2004)

Dr. Carroll's research centers on benthic ecology, specifically examining how shellfish interact with their environments and how anthropogenic impacts affect recruitment, survival, and growth of commercially important species. His work spans oyster and scallop ecology, habitat restoration, and understanding species interactions in changing coastal environments. Recent publications demonstrate strong activity in marine disease ecology, bioerosion processes, and the application of shellfish in coastal restoration projects.

Dr. Carroll currently serves as Co-PI on the NSF-funded RaMP: Mentoring and Research Opportunities for Careers in Coastal Science (MROC2S) project (2023-2027), which supports coastal science education and research opportunities. His h-index of 16 reflects substantial scholarly impact with 570 citations across his 75 research outputs spanning from 2007 to the present.

• Recent research focuses on oyster disease ecology and restoration
• Investigates impacts of boring sponges on shellfish populations
• Studies ribbed mussels for marsh grass restoration applications
• Examines parasite prevalence in ecosystem engineers

Teaching responsibilities include Environmental Biology and Invertebrate Biology courses, where he shares his expertise in marine systems and conservation biology with undergraduate students. His research program continues to grow with active funding and recent publications demonstrating significant contributions to coastal ecology and shellfish conservation.