Ruth H. Carmichael, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael is a Senior Marine Scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and a Professor of Marine Sciences at the University of South Alabama.

She came to Alabama from Maine, where she was an Assistant Professor of Marine Science at the University of Maine-Machias. Carmichael holds an MA (1998) and PhD (2004) from Boston University at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA.

She is a population and trophic ecologist who uses traditional ecological techniques coupled with elemental and telemetry methods to understand how organisms respond to environmental perturbations, from physiological responses to changes in growth and survival or movement patterns.

She is Director of DISL’s Manatee Sighting Network and operates the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network. She is Co-chair of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program’s Science Advisory Committee and Member-At-Large for the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation.

She has served as an editor for four scientific journals and is a past President of the Gulf Estuarine Research Society. She has more than 50 publications in Marine Ecology and is an editor of the recent book, Changing Global Perspectives on Biology, Conservation, and Management of Horseshoe Crabs, Springer, New York.

Education

2004 Ph.D. Marine Biology, B.U. Marine Program, Marine Biological Laboratory
1998 M.A. Marine Biology, B.U. Marine Program, Marine Biological Laboratory
1993 B.A. Biology with honors, University of Chicago

Courses

Marine Conservation Biology
Invertebrate Zoology
Scientific Communication
Stable Isotope Ecology Seminar
Biology and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs

In the News

Research

My research focuses on marine ecosystem responses; understanding relationships between organisms and their environment and specific biological and physiological responses to environmental change.

In particular, I am interested in the mechanisms by which anthropogenic-driven perturbations affect coastal habitats and species. I give special focus to commercially important coastal bivalves, horseshoe crabs, manatees and dolphins. I use a variety of approaches to make these assessments.
I measure how perturbations affect habitat and food quality for consumers, and then determine the extent to which these effects may be transferred up coastal food webs in terms of change in growth, survival, and physiology. I also employ natural abundance stable isotopes to trace N and C sources from consumers to their food sources and ultimately to N and C sources from land.

I use this information to discern trophic interactions, define linkages between anthropogenic factors and organism responses, assess nutritional importance of food sources, discern physiological state of organisms, and historically trace responses to environmental change.

Current Research Grants:

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Bottlenose dolphin abundance and condition in nearshore and coastal ecosystems. 2019- 2028
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Collection of fish species in the Mobile Bay/Mississippi Sound system. 2019-2024
Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Capture, tagging, and tracking of West Indian manatees in Alabama and nearby waters. 2024-2027
U.S. Food & Drug Administration/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Water quality and seafood safety indicators in coastal Alabama waters. 2021-2026

Past Research Grants:

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) - Alabama Marine Mammal Conservation and Recovery Program. 2015-2020
Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries - Aerial mapping of manatee thermal refugia in Alabama waters: Defining essential habitat. 2015-2017
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Decadal scale documentation of endangered West Indian manatee habitat use in the northern Gulf of Mexico west of Florida. 2016-2018
WHOI Sea Grant Program - A history of mercury impacts to Waquoit Bay, MA clams. 2014-2017
MS-AL Sea Grant Consortium - A circulation and transport model for fishery management in Mobile Bay and eastern Mississippi Sound. 2014-2017
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) - Determining sources, history and status of eutrophication at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 2014-2015
MS Water Resources Research Institute (MWRRI) - Water quality in Bangs Lake: Effects of recurrent phosphate spills to a coastal estuary: Years 1 and 2. 2014-2015
Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries - Population ecology, movements, habitat use and diet of West Indian Manatees in Alabama waters. Various projects 2009-2015
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) - Support for the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network. 2014
NOAA, National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC) - Data Management in Support of NOAA’s Integrated Ecosystem Assessment for the Gulf of Mexico: Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Data Management Center. Various projects 2007-2013
NOAA, Prescott Fund, Fisheries Protected Resources Program - Establishing a regionally cooperative dolphin stranding network for Alabama. 2011-2012
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) - A cooperative marine mammal stranding network for Alabama. 2011-2012
BP-GoMRI - Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Recovery: Sentinel macrofauna (MESC). 2011-2012 Effects of oil contaminants on sentinel benthic and pelagic species in Mobile Bay, AL (NGI). 2010-2011
NOAA, National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System - National Science Collaborative, Legacy effects of land-use change and nitrogen source shifts on a benchmark system: Building capacity for collaborative research leadership at the Grand Bay Reserve. 2010-2013
NOAA, Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Program - Proposed data collection plan to assess injury to West Indian manatees from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill outside of Florida. 2010
Alabama Oyster Reef Restoration Program - Quantification of direct and indirect nitrogen removal by oysters (Crassostrea virginica). 2009-2011
Richard C. Shelby Center for Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management - From Mobile Bay to nGOM fisheries: The trophic importance of land-derived organic matter. 2009-2011
MS-AL Sea Grant Consortium - Use of stable isotope ratios to link wastewater sources to effects on shellfish and human health: Defining relevant and effective spatial and temporal scales for management. 2008-2010

Carmichael Lab

Prospective students

Students are accepted through the University of South Alabama. All students must meet the requirements for admission to the University of South Alabama graduate school and Marine Sciences Department. Qualified applicants may send GRE scores, GPA, current CV, and a brief statement, indicating specific topics of interest, to rcarmichael@disl.org.

Madison Thornhill (University of South Alabama)
Cordelia Gillenwater (University of South Alabama)
Hunter Morris (Jacksonville State University)
Taniya Johnson (East Carolina University)

2024

Eleanor Watts (Spring Hill College)
Kaila Mackie (Auburn Vet School)
Ashleigh Bock (University of South Alabama)
Jennifer Latusek-Nabholz - Duke University
Sebastian Penagos (Dalhousie University)

2023

Vanessa Neve (University of South Alabama)
Devin Lindsay (Auburn University)
Briley Rigsby (University of South Alabama)
Evelyn Brackebush (Gulf Scholar)
Ethan Armour (Hendrix College)
Claire Marchant (Troy University)
Eleanor Watts (Spring Hill College)
Madison Thornhill (University of South Alabama)
Mary Ponti (Louisiana State University)

2022

Caitlyn freeman (Spring Hill College)
Leah Townsend (University of South Alabama)
Laurel Siegrist (United States Coast Guard)
Sarah Rice (University of Alabama)
Phoebe Stewart (UAB)
Bailey Walkinshaw (University of West Florida)

2021

Taylor Strickland (University of South Alabama)
Maria Tran (University of South Alabama)
Rebecca Well (University of South Alabama)
Asher Simmons (University of South Alabama)
Erin Casellas (Florida Institute of Technology)
Joe Hansen (University of North Carolina Wilmington)
Lillie Black (University of Alabama)
Kira Babiarz (Spring Hill College)
Harrison Carrell (Auburn University)
Sarah Thiesen (Wittenberg University)
Chloe Ray (University of South Alabama)

2020

Elizabeth “Biz” Nasharr (University of Alabama)
Jessica Veo (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
Maureen Goretti (North Carolina State University)
Audrey McQuagge (University of Florida)

2019

Tori McMahon (University of South Alabama)
Kaiya McGhaw (Auburn University)
Paige Gordy (University of South Alabama)
Andrea Mason (University of Arizona)
Cayman Travis Gardner (University of North Alabama)
Abigail Thomas (Auburn University)

2018

Heather Lane (Auburn University)
Kassey Trahanas (Olivet Nazarene University)
Deryn Hill (Southeastern Louisiana University)
Matthew Harrison (Texas State University)
Clara Zubrick (University of Mobile)
Dakota Bilbrey (University of South Alabama)
Jesse Harris (University of South Alabama)
Jorgine Gentry

2017

Grace Forster (University of South Alabama)
Pray Stott (Spring Hill College)
Stephanie Bulls (University of South Alabama)
Chris Williams (University of South Alabama)
Beatriz Tintore (University of Vic, Barcelona)
Matt Hondabosi (M.S. Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi)
Meagan Machholz (University of West Alabama)
Mary-Sophia Golden (Auburn University)
Amelia Grider (Auburn University)
Carley Amox (Auburn University)
Ruma Chatterji (M.S. Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi)

2016

Angel Gray (University of North Alabama)
Alex Patterson (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Beth Tuttle (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Dorothy Mitchell (Auburn University)
Merrit McCall (Auburn University)
Tano Buhring (Auburn University)
Gen Kirstein (Troy University)
Kindall Brown (University of Alabama)
Kirsten Humphris (Jacksonville State University)
Kim Killen (University of Mobile)
Victoria Drumm (Brandeis University)
Catherine Reynolds (University of South Alabama)
Jamie Thompson (Abilene Christian University)
Audrey Palombo (University of Florida)
Kaitlyn Witlicki (University of Southern Mississippi)
Tori Brackett (University of South Alabama)
Rachel Chamberlain (University of South Alabama)
Neil Berglund (Tulane University)

2015

Anna Henrikson (University of South Alabama)
Maren Stinson (Texas A&M University)
Diego Calderon-Arrieta (Rhodes College)
Deryn Hill (Southeastern Louisiana University)
Lauren Willis (University of Alabama)
Kristine Alford (University oif South Alabama)
Ashley Frith (Brown University)
Casey Fulford (Florida State University)
Jessica Kinsella (University of North Carolina - Wilmington)
Yishen Li (University of Miami)
Autumn Nitz (University of South Alabama)
Rebecca Dudley (University of Sheffield)

2014

Ethan Cantin (University of South Alabama)
Morgan Waites (University of South Alabama)
Hailey Boeck (University of North Alabama)
Josh Millwood (University of West Alabama)
Hannah Shirley (University of West Alabama)
Adam Forkner (University of Alabama)
Emily Parker (University of Alabama)
Rachel Valencia (University of Mobile)
James Landry (University of Alabama)
Alayna Lawson (Spring Hill College)
Kristin Reints (University of South Alabama)

2013

Renee Edwards (University of Illinois-Urbana Champagne)
Jake Hall (University of North Alabama)
Megann Santana (University of South Alabama)
Amanda Ellenburg (University of South Alabama)
Holly Bell (University of Mobile)
Caitlin Collins (Troy University)
Ariel Reed (University of North Alabama)
Cara Whalen (University of South Alabama)
Morgan Frank (University of South Alabama)
Andrew Morin (Warren Wilson College, NC)
Ben Nagel (Iowa State)

2008-2012

Jessica Lajoie (University of Massachusetts-Amherst)
Kristin Marino (University of Vermont)
Pavel Dimens (SUNY, NY)
Margaret Gilroy (MS, Duke University)
Elizabeth Lauss (Florida Institute of Technology)
Thomas Bilbo (Denison University)
Emily Strauss (Spring Hill College)
Carolyn Kovacs (College of William & Mary)
Allen Aven (NGI Intern, University of Tennessee)

Directed Study Students

Karlie Brodzinski (Jacksonville State University; summer 2024)
Dakota Bilbrey (University of South Alabama; spring 2020)
Chris Williams (University of South Alabama; summer 2017)
Amber Simpson (University of South Alabama; summer 2016)
Anna Henrikson (University of South Alabama; summer 2015)
Emily Baker (Jacksonville State University; summer 2013)
Marie Barton (University of Alabama; fall 2013)
Tyler Mason (University of South Alabama; summer 2012)
John McFadyen (University of Alabama; summer 2011)
Erik Brush (Auburn University, AL; summer 2010)
Maury Estes (Alabama A&M; summer 2009)
Heather Juedes (University of Alabama; summer 2008)
Lauren Waters (Auburn University, AL; summer 2007)
Isabella D’Ambra (University of South Alabama; fall 2007)

REU Students

KayLee Ridge (University of Evansville; summer 2024)
Levette Tucker (University of South Alabama; summer 2023)
Evan Marth (Athens State University; summer 2022)
Yasmine Hall (Auburn University; summer 2022)
Kahylin Nesbitt (Oakwood University, AL; summer 2021)
Che’Isha Johnson (Talladega College, AL; summer 2021)
Ti-Ara Turner (Judson College, AL; summer 2020)
Ryanne Murray (Eckerd College, FL; summer 2019)
Hanae Togami (Haverford College, PA; summer 2017)
Elizabeth Thompson (Harding University, AR: summer 2016)
Angie Garelick (CSU Channel Islands, CA; summer 2016)
Sean Carter (Colorado College, CO; summer 2015)
Amanda Jones (Rutgers University, NJ; summer 2011)
Katie Interlichia (Vassar College, NY; summer 2010)
Joshua Daskin (Brandeis University, MA; summer 2007)

Undergraduate/High School career shadowing

Mia Ratliff (Louisiana State University; fall 2024)
Maddie Partain (summer 2024)
Cody J. Weinberger (University of Chicago, IL; spring 2013)
Steven Vickery (University of Chicago, IL; spring 2011)

High School Interns

Sophie Davis (Davidson High School; fall 2016-spring 2018)
Nic Klinge (Daphne High School; summer 2013)
Emil Johnson (W. P. Davidson High School, AL; spring 2010)
Jacy Baggett (Murphy High School, AL; summer 2010)
Cameron Welch (Benjamin Russell High School, AL; summer 2007)

Former Post-Docs

Carl Cloyed (Ph.D. University of Louisville)
Jennifer Boodgood (DVM, Ph.D. University of Georgia)
Alissa Deming (DVM, Ph.D. University of Florida)
LaTina Gambles (DVM, Tuskegee University, AL; Tufts University, MA; summer 2012)
Pat Prado (Co-advisor under Dr. K. Heck)

Former Technicians

Elizabeth Hieb (MS/University of South Alabama)
Cristina Diaz Clark (BA/University of San Diego)
Merri Collins (MS/Ohio University)
Noel Wingers (BS/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Jessica Delo (MS/Samford University)
Ryan Crim (MS/Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver)
Courtney Miller (BS/University of South Alabama)
Nicole Taylor (BS/Memphis State University)
Claire Pabody (MA/University of Alabama)

Former Students

Joe Hansen, M.S. Student - “Characterization of the skin microbiome of free ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in a dynamic environment using a novel technique”
Joseph Pavelites, M.S. Student - “Cadmium isotope fractionation in Eastern oyster shells”
Emily Pepple, M.S. Student - Marine Conservation and Resource Management
Lauren Clance, M.S. 2022 - “Evaluating stable isotopes and contaminants in bottlenose dolphins in Mobile Bay”
Ashley Frith, M.S. 2020 - “Environmental effects on histamine production in decomposing fish”
Toni Thomason M.S. 2020 - Marine Conservation and Resource Management
Haley Gancel, Ph.D. 2020 - “Larval oyster (Crassostrea virginica) settlement, distribution, and growth in a freshwater dominated and human-influenced estuary”
Kim Peter, M.S. 2020 - “Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) as retrospective bioindicators to detect oil contamination in the marine environment”
Allen Aven, Ph.D. candidate
Natalie Santini, M.S. 2018 - Marine Conservation & Resource Management
Elizabeth S. Darrow Condon, Ph.D. 2015 - “Evaluating historical and spatial anthropogenic impacts in a coastal estuary system using chemical and microbial indicators”
Jessica Frank, M.S. 2015 (co-advised by Dr. A. Robertson) - “Investing potential domoic acid exposure in West Indian manatees stranded in coastal Alabama”
Heather Patterson, Ph.D. 2014 - “Use of stable isotope ratios and protein regulation to detect dissolved oxygen stress in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica”
Joe Dalrymple, M.S. 2013 - “Effects of ontogeny on nitrogen sequestration and removal capacity of oysters”
Isabella D’Ambra 2012 (co-advised with Dr. M. Graham) - “Application of stable isotopes in the analysis of trophic interactions between gelatinous Zooplankton and fish”
Peter Biancani, M.S. 2010 - “Seasonal and spatial effects of wastewater effluent on oyster growth, survival, and accumulation of pathogens in Mobile Bay, AL"