Steven Murawski

Dr. Steven Murawski is a Research Professor and the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Peter R. Betzer Endowed Chair at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Marine Science. He serves as Director and Principal Investigator of the NOAA-funded Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technologies (COMIT), focusing on advanced seafloor mapping technologies. Previously, he directed the GoMRI-funded C-IMAGE consortium, studying the Deepwater Horizon oil spill’s ecological impacts.

Education: Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (1984, 1976, 1973). Formerly the Chief Scientist of the National Marine Fisheries Service, he advises on sustainable marine resource management. His research integrates ecosystem modeling, fisheries biology, and pollution impacts to inform policy.

• Key Projects: COMIT (NOAA), C-IMAGE (GoMRI), Reef Fish Stock Assessment Initiative (NOAA)
• Research Interests: Human impacts on marine ecosystems, oil spill recovery, fisheries sustainability, and ocean mapping technologies

Awards include the Department of Commerce Gold Medal, AAAS Fellowship, and multiple USF recognitions. His work bridges science and policy, emphasizing actionable solutions for marine conservation.