Rochelle D. Seitz

Dr. Rochelle D. Seitz is a Research Professor at the School of Marine Science, The College of William & Mary, affiliated with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). With a PhD from William & Mary, she specializes in marine benthic ecology, predator-prey dynamics, and coastal restoration. Her work bridges experimental ecology with large-scale ecosystem management.

Research Interests: Her expertise focuses on (1) environmental stressor impacts on benthic biodiversity, (2) top-down/bottom-up control in marine systems, and (3) bivalve restoration ecology. Current projects examine shoreline resilience, soft-shell clam aquaculture viability, and living shoreline effectiveness in Chesapeake Bay.

• Education
  • B.A. - Colgate University
  • M.A., Ph.D. - The College of William & Mary

Publication Trends: Recent work addresses habitat degradation effects on benthic communities, climate change impacts on predator-prey systems, and global risk assessments for marine artificial structures. Key subfields include oyster reef restoration, ocean acidification responses, and complexity-biodiversity relationships.

Scientific Honors: Recipient of W&M’s Diversity Recognition Award (2021) and VIMS Diversity & Inclusion Award (2018). Maintains active editorial roles in Marine Ecology Progress Series and Frontiers in Marine Science.

Advising & Grants: Advises graduate students in marine ecology and fisheries science. Leads multi-million-dollar projects funded by DoD, NSF, NOAA, and Virginia Department of Education, focusing on coastal resilience and ecosystem services.