Joshua Patterson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences
Joshua Patterson joined the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences faculty in 2014 as an Assistant Professor of Restoration Aquaculture. He is housed at The Florida Aquarium’s Center for Conservation in the Tampa Bay area. Restoration aquaculture refers to the practice of actively enhancing populations and ecosystems using cultured aquatic organisms. Josh’s obtained a B.S. in Biology from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA; M.S. in Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences from Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY; and Ph.D. in Renewable Natural Resources from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. Areas of research in the Patterson Lab are the use of aquaculture in coral reef restoration (corals, sponges, sea urchins), restoration and protection of seagrasses, bay scallop population enhancement, and fisheries aspects of large-scale habitat restorations. Josh teaches a graduate-level course in environmental physiology of fishes. He also has an Extension appointment and is an affiliate of Florida Sea Grant. In these roles, Josh works statewide with the network of Florida Sea Grant agents and directly with agencies (e.g., Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, etc.), non-profit organizations, and private businesses engaged in restoration aquaculture. Addressing questions about culturing organisms for aquatic restoration requires the integration of fields including engineering, genetics, physiology, and ecology. Therefore, Josh collaborates with academic colleagues from these disciplines.
