JoAnn Burkholder

JoAnn Marie Burkholder
Born1953 (age 72–73)
Rockford, Illinois
Alma materIowa State University
University of Rhode Island
Michigan State University
Occupationaquatic ecology professor
Known forCauses of fish deaths

JoAnn Marie Burkholder (born 1953) is an American aquatic ecologist and phycologist known for her research on nutrient pollution (cultural eutrophication), harmful algal blooms, and the biology and toxicity of the dinoflagellate genus Pfiesteria.[1][2] She is William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the Department of Applied Ecology at North Carolina State University and founding director of the Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology (CAAE).[3] Her work spans freshwater to marine ecosystems and microalgae to seagrasses, emphasizing the ecological and physiological consequences of nutrient enrichment, the behavior and toxicity of harmful algae, and the integration of science with public outreach, environmental education, and policy.[4]

Early life

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Iowa State University in 1975. She continued her studies at the University of Rhode Island, receiving a Master of Science in Aquatic Botany in 1981, followed by a Ph.D. in Botanical Limnology from Michigan State University in 1986. During her early academic training, she conducted research in limnology, marine botany, and plant physiology, gaining expertise in both experimental and field-based aquatic ecology.[5]

Academic and professional career

Burkholder began her professional career as an environmental scientist at EcolSciences, Inc. in New Jersey from 1976 to 1977 and as an undergraduate research assistant in limnology at Iowa State University.[6] During her graduate studies, she held research and teaching assistantships at the University of Rhode Island from 1978 to 1981, where she contributed to botany instruction while conducting research in aquatic and marine plant sciences.[6] She also taught marine botany during summer programs at St. George’s College Preparatory School and served as an instructor of introductory chemistry at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Connecticut.[7] From 1982 to 1986, she was a graduate research assistant at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station at Michigan State University, participating in long-term ecological research on freshwater ecosystems.[8]

In 1986, Burkholder joined North Carolina State University as an assistant professor in the Department of Botany.[6] She was promoted to associate professor in 1993 and full professor in 1998. From 1998 to 2012, she served as professor in the Department of Plant Biology (formerly Botany) while directing the university’s Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology, establishing it as a hub for interdisciplinary research on water quality, harmful algal blooms, fisheries health, and ecosystem management.[9] In 2013, she was named William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the Department of Applied Ecology, one of the university’s highest faculty distinctions.[10] She has continued to serve as director of the Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology, overseeing research programs, mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, and engaging with governmental and community partners on applied ecological issues.[6][11][12][13][14][15]

References

  1. ^ "Fish-Killer's Weapon Revealed?". www.science.org. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  2. ^ MALLIN, MICHAEL A. "Impacts of Industrial Animal Production on Rivers and Estuaries". American Scientist.
  3. ^ "JoAnn Burkholder". Plant and Microbial Biology. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  4. ^ Burkholder, Joann M. (February 1998). "IMPLICATIONS OF HARMFUL MICROALGAE AND HETEROTROPHIC DINOFLAGELLATES IN MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE MARINE FISHERIES". Ecological Applications. 8 (sp1): S37–S62. doi:10.1890/1051-0761(1998)8[S37:IOHMAH]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1051-0761.
  5. ^ Hampton, Natalie. "Burkholder honored for fisheries conservation". College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  6. ^ a b c d "JoAnn M Burkholder, Ph.D." pew.org. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  7. ^ "Jo Ann Burkholder | IES". ies.ed.gov. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  8. ^ "People joann burkholder | Spartan Magazine". Michigan State University. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  9. ^ "JoAnn Burkholder". Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST). Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  10. ^ Gavrilles, Beth (2022-04-04). "Aquatic ecologist JoAnn Burkholder to deliver 2022 Odum Lecture at UGA". Odum School of Ecology. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  11. ^ Broad, William J. (March 27, 1997). "In a Sealed Lab, A Warrior Against Pollution". New York Times.
  12. ^ Burkholder, Joann M; Glasgow, Howard B (1999). "Science Ethics and its Role in Early Suppression of the Pfiesteria Issue". Human Organization. 58 (4): 443–455. doi:10.17730/humo.58.4.976098q356672751. JSTOR 44127660.
  13. ^ Burkholder, Joann M.; Glasgow, Howard B.; Deamer-Mella, Nora (2001). "Overview and present status of the toxic Pfiesteria complex (Dinophyceae)". Phycologia. 40 (3): 186–214. doi:10.2216/i0031-8884-40-3-186.1. ISSN 0031-8884. S2CID 85357344.
  14. ^ Mann, Charles C. (April 27, 1997). "Books: Wet and Nasty". New York Times.
  15. ^ Burkholder, JoAnn M.; Glasgow, Howard B. (2001). "History of Toxic Pfiesteria in North Carolina Estuaries from 1991 to the Present". BioScience. 51 (10): 827. doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0827:hotpin]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0006-3568.
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