Anjali Boyd
Student

Anjali Boyd  is a marine ecologist, educator, entrepreneur, and native of Durham NC. In 2020, she began her PhD in the Nicholas School of the Environment in the Marine Science and Conservation program as a member of the Silliman Lab . Anjali has studied and conducted research at the most respected institutions in her discipline (e.g. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Scripps Institute of Oceanography) and has been awarded over 25 awards and scholarships. Her work and expertise extends far beyond her scientific contribution, as she consistently advocates for and works to improve K-12 STEM education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in STEM and Environmental Conservation fields.

Anjali's efforts and energies are leveraged toward working to ensure she is a  scientist that thrives in research settings, has strong scientific writing and communication skills that extend beyond the academic community, develops innovative ecosystem restoration techniques, opens doors to others to know and love scientific research, and creates safe, welcoming spaces for underrepresented groups in marine science.

Current Research Interests

Anjali graduated from Eckerd College in 2019 with a B.S. in Marine Science. She has conducted research in a variety of marine systems while exploring a diversity of topics, from the habitat association of bottlenose dolphins to the effects of mesopredators on seagrass growth and community structure.

As a marine community ecologist, Anjali’s research is focused on testing and advancing co-existence theory with field experiments with the applied objective of increasing the resilience and productivity of foundation species. Foundation species form the base for many vital marine ecosystems, in addition to providing habitat for hundreds of commercially and recreationally important species. In recent years, foundations species have been rapidly declining globally. Anjali’s research examines how species interactions (both intra and inter) and physical forces interact to regulate the recovery of foundation species. Currently, she is examining the mesopredator release hypothesis in marshes and seagrasses and the effects of marine soundscapes and biochemical cues on oyster recruitment, settlement, growth, and productivity. Ultimately, Anjali aspires to develop novel ecosystem-based restoration and management practices to restore foundation species world-wide.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

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