Michael Norris

Dr. Michael Norris is a microbiologist affiliated with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's School of Life Sciences and the Health and Stranding Lab (UHHSL). His research focuses on understanding the ecologic, immunologic, and pathogenic mechanisms of infectious diseases, leveraging genomics, diagnostics, and molecular biosciences to address public health challenges. Notably, his team recently linked dolphin strandings in Hawaiian waters to Brucella ceti, a bacterial infection with zoonotic potential. Their findings, published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, highlight the emergence of a novel strain and emphasize the importance of biosurveillance and a One Health approach.

Dr. Norris collaborates globally on projects addressing infectious diseases, with a focus on outbreak characterization, vaccine development, and marine mammal health. His work is supported by grants such as the Zoonotic Disease Initiative from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He actively engages in public safety initiatives, advocating for community reporting of stranded marine mammals to mitigate human health risks.

His research group at UH Mānoa emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, combining fieldwork with laboratory analysis to combat emerging pathogens. Dr. Norris’s contributions bridge marine biology, microbiology, and public health, underscoring the interconnectedness of ecosystem and human well-being.