Susanna Lopez-Legentil

I am passionate about advancing faculty development and fostering a culture of excellence at UNCW. In my role as Director of Faculty Development, I lead initiatives that promote faculty success, well-being, and professional growth across the institution.
Previously, I served as Assistant Chair and Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, where I built a strong foundation in academic leadership and collaboration. My research career has focused on biodiversity and invasive species, resulting in more than 90 publications in high-impact journals and partnerships with scientists from 24 countries, experiences that have shaped my global perspective on conservation and innovation.
Fluent in four languages and equipped with an MBA, I bring a unique combination of cultural agility, strategic vision, and organizational leadership to my work. These skills enable me to bridge disciplines, foster inclusive collaboration, and design programs that empower faculty to thrive in an evolving academic landscape.

Education

MBA, University of North Carolina Wilmington
PhD in Zoology, University of Barcelona
MS in Marine Science, University of Paris
BS in Zoology, University of Barcelona

Research Interests

The iMESA Lab (www.imesalab.com) seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the impact that we, humans, have on the marine environment and their inhabitants. From the tiny bacterium to the understudied sea-squirt to the mighty whale, we seek to understand how everything is connected and how we may be changing these connections.