Martin Posey

Dr. Posey has been at UNC Wilmington since 1989, serving ~18 years in various administrative roles including Chair of the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, UNCW’s Accreditation Coordinator, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean for Undergraduate Studies, and Director of the Center for Marine Science. Before coming to UNCW, he served as Visiting Scientist / Postdoctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.

Education

PhD in Biology, University of Oregon
B.A. in Zoology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Specialization in Teaching

Ecology and marine biology

Research Interests

Dr. Posey's research interests include community and trophic dynamics; benthic ecology; crustacean and oyster fisheries and ecology; aspects of shellfish aquaculture; reef habitat structure and function; impacts of disturbance, long-term trends in benthic community structure; and anthropogenic impacts on coastal ecosystems including sediment removal, beach renourishment, water quality, and shoreline stabilization. He has been an author on 72 peer-reviewed scientific publications and PI or co-PI on greater than $14 million in external funding.

Community Engagement

Dr. Posey has been involved with numerous management-related groups at the national and state level, including an appointment to the NC Marine Fisheries Commission, Chair of the NC Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee during a 5-year update of the plan, service on the Coastal Resources Commission Science panel as well as several fisheries advisory committees, and participation in various national and state resource development and management organizations. He was also a Commissioner/Trustee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Dr. Posey and colleagues continue to work closely with regional community groups.

Honors & Awards

2008 recipient of the UNCW Graduate Mentor Award
2000 recipient of the UNCW Faculty Scholarship Award
UNCW Million Dollar Club (recognition for grant success)
UNCW 5 Million Dollar Club (recognition for grant success)
UNCW 10 Million Dollar Club (recognition for grant success)
Research Reassignment Awards from UNCW in 1997 and 2003.
Inducted into the Order of Isaac Bear
UNCW Distinguished Scholarly Engagement and Public Service Award
UNC Board of Governors 2019 Gov. James E. Holshouser, Jr. Award for
Excellence in Public Service.
2024 J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award