Paul Snelgrove

University Research Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland Departmental Advisor, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Network Director, Canadian Healthy Oceans Network Assoc. Scientific Director, Ocean Frontier Institute

Dr. Paul Snelgrove is a prominent Professor of Biological Oceanography at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he has made significant contributions to marine sciences, particularly in the fields of marine community ecology and larval ecology.

Academic Background and Career

Education: Dr. Snelgrove earned his B.Sc. Honours degree in Biology from Memorial University in 1984, followed by a Master’s degree in Oceanography from McGill University in 1987. He completed his PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1993.
Postdoctoral Work: He conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences in New Jersey and at Dalhousie University.

Professional Roles

Research Professor: He currently holds positions in both the Department of Ocean Sciences and the Biology Department at Memorial University.
NSERC Industrial Chair: From 1996 to 2002, he served as an NSERC Industrial Chair in Fisheries Conservation.
Canada Research Chair: From 2003 to 2013, he was a Canada Research Chair in Boreal and Cold Ocean Systems.
Network Director: He directed the NSERC Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe) from 2008 to 2021, focusing on biodiversity and ecosystem function across Canadian marine environments.
Advisory Roles: Dr. Snelgrove also serves as a Departmental Science Advisor for Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Research Interests

Dr. Snelgrove's research encompasses various aspects of marine ecology:

Marine Community Ecology: Studying how different marine species interact within their ecosystems.
Larval Ecology: Investigating the transport and survival of larval stages of marine organisms.
Benthic Ecology: Focusing on the ecology of organisms living on or in the ocean floor, including responses to hydrodynamic effects and anthropogenic impacts.

Achievements

He has published over 140 research papers and authored significant works, including "Discoveries of the Census of Marine Life: Making Ocean Life Count" (2010).
Dr. Snelgrove has received multiple accolades for his contributions to ocean sciences, including the Parsons Medal for Achievement in Interdisciplinary Ocean Sciences.

Public Engagement

Dr. Snelgrove is also known for his public speaking, having participated as a TED Global speaker, where he discussed the findings from the Census of Marine Life project, highlighting the vast diversity and resilience of ocean life.

Through his extensive research and leadership roles, Dr. Paul Snelgrove continues to be a key figure in advancing our understanding of marine ecosystems and their conservation.