Matthew D Ramirez

Matthew Ramirez (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor of Coastal and Marine Biology in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology. Our research group works at the intersections of population biology, food web ecology, and global change biology, with an emphasis on understanding how natural and anthropogenic stressors alter life history traits, trophic interactions, and food web structure and function in marine systems. Much of our work uses sea turtles or other marine vertebrates as model organisms to test ecological theory and build predicative frameworks describing ecological responses to ecosystem changes. To this end, we integrate a variety of traditional and novel research techniques, especially ecogeochemistry (e.g., stable isotope analysis), sclerochronology, and quantitative modeling.

Education

B.S. in Zoology, Auburn University (2011)
M.S. in Fisheries Science, Oregon State University (2015)
Ph.D. in Fisheries Science, Oregon State University (2015)

Specialization in Teaching

BIO322 - Biological Invasions
BIO366 - Ecology
BIO466 - Conservation Biology
BIO495 - Senior Seminar

Research Interests

Marine Ecology
Food Web Ecology
Ecogeochemistry
Sea Turtle Ecology
Population Ecology
Conservation Biology

Professional Service

Southeast Regional Sea Turtle Meeting, Scientific Program Committee (2024–2025)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Reviewer (2024–2025)
UNCW Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Graduate Advancement Committee (2023–2025)
UNCW Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Science Access, iNclusion, and Diversity Committee (2023–2025)
Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation—Session Chair (2024), Student Presentation Award Judge (2024), Student Evaluator (2022)
Ocean Sciences Meeting—Symposium Co-organizer (2024), Student Evaluator (2022)
Frontiers in Marine Science: Marine Biogeochemistry (2024–present)
Frontiers in Marine Science: Marine Megafauna, Review Editor (2024–present)
URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Postdoctoral Faculty Representative (2021–2022)
URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee (2021–2022)
OSU Fisheries and Wildlife Mentorship Program, Program Founder & Organizer (2014–2019)
Research Advances in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Ecology Symposium, Organizing Committee (2012–2016)

Community Engagement

Our research groups is guided by the belief that science should serve and include everyone. We recognize that each person brings with them unique skill sets and experiences that shape how they think and approach new problems, making the inclusion of people that come from diverse backgrounds fundamental to excellence and innovation in STEM. We thus actively work to (1) foster an equitable and inclusive educational environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and supported, and (2) advance institutional and societal efforts to increase access to STEM for all people, including members of groups historically excluded from STEM fields. We are actively engaged in a variety of projects, initiatives, and programs that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM, enhance student professional development, and promote science and ocean literacy in the public sphere (e.g., UNCW STEM Expo, UNCW Marine Quest Oceans 15 & 17 Programs, UNCW CMS Open House, Fort Fisher Aquarium FEMME In STEM). Please see https://www.mdramirez.com/outreach to learn more.

Honors & Awards

URI Chaplains Association Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker’s Award (2022)
National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology (2019)
Thomas G. Scott Achievement Award, Outstanding Ph.D. Student, OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (2017)
Runner-up, Best Student Oral Presentation, Biology, 37th International Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation (2017)
Thomas G. Scott Achievement Award, Outstanding M.S. Student, OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (2014)
Best Student Oral Presentation, Healthy Oceans Section, NOAA EPP 7th Biennial Education and Science Forum (2014)
Savery Outstanding Master’s Student Award, OSU College of Agricultural Sciences (2014)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2012)