Academic Education:

B.S., Duke University, Biology & Economics
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ecology


Appointments:

Associate Professor, Northeastern University (2011 - present)

Research Scientist, Gulf of Maine Research Institute (2004-2011)

Post-Doctorate, Dr. Phil Yund, Darling Marine Center, University of Maine at Orono (2002-2004)


Other Professional Activities:

Member, The Nature Conservancy’s National Oyster Goals Science Advisory Team (2010-present)

Member, New England Fisheries Management Council – Ecosystem Management and Habitat Plan & Development Team (2007-present)

Member, Gulf of Maine Mapping Initiative (GOMMI) Advisory Board (2007-present)

Member, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) Working Group, “When, and how much, does fear matter”? Quantitatively assessing the impact of predator intimidation of prey on community dynamics” (2005-2007)

Member, Working Group, “Defining metrics of successful oyster reef restoration” (2004-2005)

Member, Ecological Society of America, American Fisheries Society, National Shellfish Association, American Academy of Underwater Sciences


Research Interests:

My research interests span issues in ecology, fisheries and conservation biology, and ecological economics. I have used a variety of estuarine (oyster reef, seagrass, salt marsh, mud bottom) and marine (kelp bed, cobble-ledge) systems to examine how resource availability, habitat heterogeneity and predation risk affect population dynamics, community structure, and ecosystem functioning. Much of this work focuses on economically important species such as lobsters, cod, herring, monkfish, and oyster reef and seagrass communities, and consequently is relevant for fisheries and ecosystem management. My lab also focuses on how habitat degradation and restoration influence benthic community structure, population structure, and the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. In addition, I am interested in how management initiatives such as closed areas, fishing gear modifications, and fishing effort reductions impact local habitat recovery, fisheries productivity, and the balance of resident and migratory life-history strategies for species such as cod. Finally, we are also examining a number of other important topics aimed at enhancing our ability to restore and conserve aquatic species and ecosystems: fish migratory behavior, population structure, and age validation; the economic value of ecosystem services associated with coastal habitats; seafloor habitat mapping and its role in ecosystem management; and the influence of climate change and biogeography on species range shifts, ecological interactions, and ecosystem functions.

Selected Publications:

McGonigle, C., J. H. Grabowski, C. J. Brown, T. Weber, and R. Quinn. 2011. Detection of deep water benthic macroalgae using image-based classification techniques on multibeam backscatter at Cashes Ledge, Gulf of Maine, USA. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 91: 87-101.

Grabowski, J. H., E. J. Clesceri, J. Gaudette, A. Baukus, M. Weber, and P. O. Yund. 2010. Use of herring bait to farm lobsters in the Gulf of Maine. PLoS One 5(4): e10188.

Sherwood, G. D., and J. H. Grabowski. 2010. Exploring the life-history implications of colour variation in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). ICES Journal of Marine Science 67:1640-1649.
Grabowski, J. H., A. R. Hughes, and D. L. Kimbro. 2008. Habitat complexity influences cascading effects of multiple predators. Ecology 89:3413-3422.

Schmitz, O., J. H. Grabowski, B. L. Peckarsky, E. L. Preisser, G. C. Trussell, J. Vonesh. 2008. From individuals to ecosystem function: Toward an integration of evolutionary and ecosystem ecology. Ecology 89: 2436-2445.

Grabowski, J. H., and C. H. Peterson. 2007. Restoring oyster reefs to recover ecosystem services. In Ecosystem Engineers, Plants to Protists. Eds: K. Cuddington, J. E. Byers, W. G. Wilson, and A. Hastings. Edited Book Chapter in Ecosystem Engineers. Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA, pp. 281-298.

Grabowski, J. H., A. R. Hughes, D. L. Kimbro, and M. A. Dolan. 2005. How habitat setting influences restored oyster reef communities. Ecology 86:1926-1935.

Lenihan, H. S., C. H. Peterson, S. L. Kim, K. E. Conlan, R. Fairey, C. McDonald, J. H. Grabowski, and J. S. Oliver. 2003. Variation in marine benthic community composition allows discrimination of multiple stressors. Marine Ecology progress Series 261:63-73.

Peterson, C. H., J. H. Grabowski, and S. P. Powers. 2003. Estimated enhancement of fish production resulting from restoring oyster reef habitat: quantitative valuation. Marine Ecology Progress Series 264:249-264.

Grabowski, J. H. 2004. Habitat complexity disrupts predator-prey interactions yet preserves the trophic cascade in oyster-reef communities. Ecology 85:995-1004.

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