Fort Johnson Seminar Series

The Fort Johnson Marine Science Seminar Series is held Mondays at 11 a.m. in the MRRI auditorium, unless otherwise noted.

If you have any speaker recommendations or would like to give a seminar yourself, please submit the information to the Speaker Nomination Form. 

 

February 2026

The schedule will be updated as additional speakers are announced.
  • February 2 - Rescheduled due to Inclement Weather

    Tia Clark - Owner, Casual Crabbing with Tia

    CRABBING, CULTURE, AND CONSERVATION

    Tia Clark presents Crabbing, Culture, & Conservation in Charleston, SC—an intimate story of healing, heritage, and environmental stewardship. The talk explores her health journey and decision to leave the food and beverage industry to pursue Casual Crabbing with Tia, reconnecting with her Gullah Geechee roots in the Lowcountry. Through her renewed connection to the water, Tia became involved in conservation efforts alongside the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, including their Oyster Recycling and Enhancement Program, highlighting the deep ties between culture, wellness, and coastal conservation.

    Located in the MRRI Auditorium, or online

  • February 9

    Ellen Waldrop - Assistant Diadromous Fishes Coordinator, SCDNR WFF

    STURGEON RESEARCH IN SOUTH CAROLINA

    This presentation will cover sturgeon research conducted by the Diadromous Fishes Section throughout South Carolina, including information about the life history of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon and some of the issues facing these endangered species.  We will cover some of the long-term monitoring conducted in the Edisto River as well as several new studies in the Great Pee Dee River.

    Located in the MRRI Auditorium, or online

  • February 23

    Dr. Elizabeth Fly - Marine Conservation Director, South Carolina Chapter, The Nature Conservancy

    FROM ESTUARIES TO THE OCEAN: SCIENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR ECOSYSTEM RESILIENCE

    What does ecosystem resilience look like in our estuaries and oceans, and how can conservation benefit both people and nature? This talk highlights work led by The Nature Conservancy and partners across South Carolina to strengthen coastal and ocean health through practical, science-based solutions. In estuaries, we advance living shorelines and other nature-based approaches that reduce erosion and flooding, restore habitat, and support both wildlife and coastal communities. Offshore, we support fisheries research that fills critical data gaps and informs sustainable management. Together, this work creates a holistic approach to coastal and marine conservation.

     Located in the MRRI Auditorium, or online

March 2026

The schedule will be updated as additional speakers are announced.
  • March 2

    TBD

    TBD

     

  • March 9

    TBD

    TBD

     

  • March 16

    Dr. Thomas Williamson - Sayed Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry, UNC-Wilmington

    TBA

  • March 23

    Grey Gowder - Founder and Executive Director, Carolina Ocean Alliance

    TBA

     

  • March 30

    Dr. Derek Crane - Associate Professor, Dept. of Biology, Coastal Carolina University

    TBA

     

April 2026

The schedule will be updated as additional speakers are announced.
  • April 6

    Ray Holberger - Environmental Risk Specialist, SC Dept of Environmental Services

    TBA

     

  • April 13

    Dr. Lisa Ailloud - Stock Assessment Scientist, Gulf Fisheries Branch, NOAA Fisheries

    TBA

     

  • April 20

    Aaron Given - Wildlife Biologist, Town of Kiawah Island

    TBA

     

  • April 27

    Brian Quigley - Charleston Field Station Manager, National Marine Mammal Foundation

    TBA