Michael Acquafredda, PhD (he/him)

Educational History

• Ph.D. Ecology & Evolution, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 2021
• B.S. Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 2015

Professional History

• 2021–2022: Postdoctoral Researcher & Program Specialist III,
  NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP), Washington, DC &
  The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
• 2020–2021: John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, NOAA OAP, Washington, DC
• 2015–2020: Graduate Assistant & Teaching Assistant,
  Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Rutgers University,
  New Brunswick, NJ
• 2011–2012: Oyster Restoration Program Technician,
  NY/NJ Baykeeper, Keyport, NJ

Michael Acquafredda is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the National Research Council and is conducting his research at the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory of the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center. He is studying the feasibility and sustainability of multitrophic recirculating aquaculture systems involving striped bass (Morone saxatilis), sandworms (Alitta virens), and sea beans (Salicornia bigelovii). Michael earned a BS in Biology from Tufts University and a PhD in Ecology & Evolution from Rutgers University. During his time at Rutgers, Michael studied sustainable aquaculture at the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory. His dissertation focused on ways that aquaculture opportunities can be expanded in the northeastern United States through ecologically-sound diversification. Specifically, Michael studied Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima) farming techniques, the surfclam’s vulnerability and resilience to ocean warming via selective breeding, and bivalve polyculture. Michael also completed a John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship with the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP), where he advanced domestic and international ocean acidification policy. Following his fellowship, Michael continued his work with OAP as a postdoctoral researcher and then as a program specialist via The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. During his time with OAP, Michael developed and managed funding opportunities, worked as a Secretariat member for the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON), coordinated GOA-ON’s Pier2Peer scientific mentorship program, organized two multi-day international virtual conferences (OA Week 2020 & OA Week 2021), advanced efforts to build resilience in the production and distribution of CO₂-in-seawater certified reference materials, and organized international capacity building activities in the Pacific Islands region.