Matthew P. Hoch

Matthew P. Hoch is an Associate Professor of Biology at Lamar University, Department of Biology. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Delaware (1991), a B.A. in Environmental Population and Organismal Biology from the University of Colorado (1985), and postdoctoral research in Oceanography at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on aquatic microbial communities, watershed ecology, nitrogen cycling, and coral reef microbiology. He leads the Tropical Biology Program in Belize, combining teaching and research in tropical ecosystems. His work involves 51 student researchers and has been funded by NSF and Lamar University grants. Current projects include studying microbial responses to sea level rise, fish microbiomes, and coral reef health impacts from plastic pollution and climate change.

Education

• Ph.D., Marine Biology and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, 1991
• B.A., Environmental Population and Organismal Biology, University of Colorado, 1985
• Postdoctoral Research, Texas A&M University Oceanography, 1992-1996

Research Interests

• Aquatic microbial ecology: sulfate-reducing prokaryotes, bacterioplankton, finfish microbiomes
• Watershed studies: nitrogen cycling, stream continuum concepts in Belizean ecosystems
• Coral reef microbiology: effects of temperature rise, macroalgal interactions, plastic pollution
• Estuary biogeochemistry: Sabine Lake, Salt Bayou Estuary

Grants and Advising

• Funded by NSF and Lamar University
• Advised 51 students in field and lab research

Labs/Teams Collaborates with Dr. Ana Christensen on Tropical Biology Programs in Belize, focusing on marine and watershed ecology education and research.