Alexander Humphreys

With a strong background in marine geoscience and a sharp focus on carbonate and coastal geology, I bring over eight years of experience bridging scientific research and applied coastal resilience. As Co-PI on the NSF-funded project ‘Protist Prophets’ (2019–2025), I have led research on the effects of climate and ecological change on shallow water carbonate environments, to develop novel bioindicators for coral reef health—work directly applicable to vulnerability assessments and coastal adaptation strategies.

I’ve collaborated with institutions like the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation to produce public-facing educational materials, blogs, and interactive learning content based on real-world marine data. My strengths lie in synthesizing complex coastal data into clear, actionable insights and communicating these to both technical and general audiences. Whether guiding research, securing funding, or leading outreach, I deliver science with strategy—built to support coastal communities and resilient shorelines.

I am an experienced coastal geoscientist specializing in carbonate geology, coastal processes, and climate-related ecosystem research. My work focuses on the intersection of marine science and climate resilience, with a particular emphasis on the study of shallow-water carbonate sediments and coastal vulnerability. I have led interdisciplinary projects, including NSF-funded research on carbonate system vulnerability, and have developed innovative bioindicators to assess climate stressors like ocean warming and acidification.

As a Senior Lecturer and mentor, I have taught and guided students in marine geoscience, leading field courses in diverse coastal environments, from the Galápagos Islands to Florida's carbonate and coastal systems. I have successfully secured and managed federal research funding, collaborated with stakeholders, and integrated science-based solutions into public resilience planning. Passionate about coastal sustainability, I am committed to applying my expertise in carbonate geoscience and coastal processes to support long-term environmental resilience and adaptation strategies in Florida’s uniquely vulnerable coastal ecosystems.

I hold a Ph.D. in Earth Science from the University of Toronto, where my dissertation focused on shallow water carbonate sediments and their ecological sensitivity in the Galápagos Archipelago--widely considered to be a natural laboratory for studying future climate, oceanographic, and ecosystem change. I also have a Master’s in Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University, where I researched shallow water carbonate assemblages along an oceanographic gradient in the Galápagos. My foundational studies include a Bachelor’s in Zoology from Connecticut College, which sparked my long-term interest in marine ecosystems and coastal processes.