Matthew E. Kimball

Matthew E. Kimball is a Research Professor and Assistant Director at the Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, part of the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences at the University of South Carolina. He holds a PhD in Ecology & Evolution from Rutgers University (2008), an MS in Zoology from North Carolina State University (2003), and a BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1999). His research focuses on marine ecology, particularly coastal fauna and flora dynamics, habitat restoration, invasive species, and climate change impacts on estuarine ecosystems.

His work integrates field and laboratory approaches, with recent studies emphasizing estuaries along the southeastern US Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Key projects include evaluating oyster reef ecosystem functions, climate change effects on fisheries, and acoustic monitoring of estuarine communities. He also leads initiatives on juvenile fish behavior, habitat selection, and the application of imaging sonar for ecological assessments. Teaching responsibilities include the Fisheries Research Field Techniques course.

Kimball’s publications span over two decades, addressing topics like shrimp population dynamics, tarpon range expansion, and gopher tortoise behavior. His research highlights the interconnectedness of ecological processes and human impacts on coastal systems. He collaborates widely, leveraging technology to advance tidal marsh ecology and conservation strategies.