Michael J. Kennish
Research Professor
Estuarine and Marine Ecology, Marine Geology, Human Impacts on Estuarine and Marine Environments
email:
phone: 848-932-3386
Education: Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Research Interests: My primary research interest is investigating anthropogenic impacts on estuarine and coastal marine environments and developing remedial measures. I am particularly interested in examining the natural and anthropogenic stressors that effect change in
coastal ecosystems and delineating the dynamics of environmental forcing factors that generate imbalances in biotic community structure and ecosystem function. I have been heavily involved in integrative ecosystem assessment, notably investigations of impairment and condition of New Jersey's estuarine and coastal marine environments employing
innovative research methods. This work has entailed studies of watershed development, habitat loss and alteration, nutrient enrichment and eutrophication, hypoxia and anoxia, organic pollution, chemical contaminants, climate change, sea-level rise, overfishing, invasive
species, watercraft effects, dredging and dredge material disposal, thermal discharges, entrainment and impingement of electric generating stations, and other subjects.
Personal Interests: I received all of my degrees (B.A., M.S. and Ph.D.) in geology from Rutgers University with a specialization in estuarine and marine studies. My work at the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences (IMCS) has entailed diverse scholarly, teaching, and service activities. In addition to being a faculty member at IMCS, I am affiliated with the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources. I am also a member of the Center for Deep-Sea Ecology and Biotechnology and the Climate and Environmental Change Initiative at Rutgers. Furthermore, I am the Research Coordinator of the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve in Tuckerton, New Jersey.
My Links:
Investigating estuarine beach dynamics at Silver Bay, New Jersey.
Surveying marsh grasses and tidal creeks at Barnegat Bay, New Jersey.
Read my CV
