Kelly J. Smith

Kelly J. Smith serves as an Associate Professor in the Biology department at the University of North Florida, specializing in ecological restoration and estuarine system dynamics with emphasis on juvenile fish ecology and habitat interactions.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Ecology and Evolution, Rutgers University (1995)
• BS in Biology (1987)

Dr. Smith's research centers on human impacts on ecological systems, particularly investigating how living habitats—including oyster reefs, salt marshes, and mangrove ecosystems—influence fish and benthic macro-faunal communities in estuarine environments. She examines shoreline restoration methodologies and their effects on habitat utilization, abundance patterns, and conservation outcomes, with direct applications for coastal resource management.

Analysis of her publication record (2014-2024) reveals a concentrated research trajectory focused on Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat (POSH) systems, integrating computational modeling, materials science, and field observations to advance coastal protection and ecological restoration techniques. Her work demonstrates interdisciplinary convergence between marine biology, environmental engineering, and ecological restoration.