Kelli Hunsucker, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences | Florida Tech
Melbourne, FL, UNITED STATES
Dr. Hunsucker investigates biofouling prevention methods for marine growth and eco-engineering techniques for ecosystem enhancement.
Areas of Expertise (8)
Marine Education
Oceanography
UVC
Biofilms
Biofouling
Benthic Ecology
Ecological Engineering
Environmental Science
About
Dr. Kelli Hunsucker’s research focuses on biofouling organisms, both micro and macro plants and animals, and their settlement on surfaces such as ship hulls and oceanographic instrumentation. She works with government, industry, and academia to research, test, and design novel systems to determine their efficacy in preventing biofouling. Currently her team is investigating the application of UVC on biofouling and its efficacy in the marine environment. She has authored over 250 technical reports, publications and book chapters on biofouling ecology and prevention. Dr. Hunsucker’s other projects involve eco-engineering solutions for improved water quality and ecosystem enhancement in estuarine waters. In addition to teaching and research, she is heavily involved in community based outreach projects and marine science summer programs for children.
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Media Appearances (5)
Florida Tech Professor Kelli Hunsucker Awarded Marine Science Educator of the Year Honor
Space Coast Daily News
2022-05-18
When ocean engineering and marine sciences assistant professor Kelli Hunsucker was working on her Ph.D., she saw a want ad for an adjunct professor at what was then Brevard Community College.
UVC Showing Positive Signs for Biofouling Solution
Florida Tech News
2021-07-07
The research paper, “The Application of UVC Used in Synergy with Surface Material to Prevent Marine Biofouling,” was published in the June edition of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. Doctoral candidate Kailey Richard is the lead author on the paper, which also features ocean engineering and oceanography professor Geoffrey Swain, oceanography assistant professor Kelli Hunsucker, lead research engineer Harrison Gardner and research assistant Kris Hickman.
Q&A: Kelli Hunsucker Stands For … Collaboration
Florida Tech News
2021-04-29
Dr. Kelli Hunsucker ’07 M.S., ’13 Ph.D., breaks down her research into three components: preventing plant and animal growth on certain underwater surfaces (biofouling), promoting it on others (ecological engineering) and getting the community involved in and excited about marine science and engineering (outreach).
Wanted Weeds: Early Signs Positive for Living Docks Program
Florida Tech News
2021-01-20
Oceanography assistant professor Kelli Hunsucker’s work with organism growth is two-fold. Her biofouling research analyzes new ways to keep organisms from accumulating on ship hulls and corroding them. However, it’s the other side of her work with these same organisms that may have some positive impacts on the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon.
Florida Tech’s Dr. Kelli Hunsucker Keeping Water Healthy For Its Marine Occupants
Space Coast Daily News
2017-10-09
From the hulls of ocean-going vessels to oysters attached to a private dock on the Indian River Lagoon, Dr. Kelli Hunsucker is helping to keep water healthy for its marine occupants.
Education (3)
Florida Institute of Technology: Ph.D., Biological Oceanography 2012
Florida Institute of Technology: M.S., Chemical Oceanography
Stockton University: B.S., Oceanography, with a Marine Chemistry focus 2005
Links (5)
Selected Articles (8)
Assessing the Biological Performance of Living Docks—A Citizen Science Initiative to Improve Coastal Water Quality through Benthic Recruitment within the Indian River Lagoon, Florida
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering2022
The Application of UVC Used in Synergy with Surface Material to Prevent Marine Biofouling
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering2021
The Use of a UVC Lamp Incorporated With an ROV to Prevent Biofouling: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Marine Technology Society Journal2020
A novel design to investigate the impacts of UV exposure on marine biofouling
Applied Ocean Research2020
Using hydrodynamic testing to assess the performance of fouling control coatings
Ocean Engineering2019
Using ultraviolet light for improved antifouling performance on ship hull coatings
Biofouling2019
The Living Dock: A Study of Benthic Recruitment to Oyster Substrates Affixed to a Dock in the Indian River Lagoon
Marine Technology Society Journal2018
Does the benthic invertebrate community reflect disturbances in the central Indian River Lagoon?
Proceedings of Indian River Lagoon Symposium2020
Affiliations (4)
- Marine Technology Society Journal : Editorial Board
- Marine Science & Coastal Engineering Camp : Director
- Florida Academy of Sciences: Past President
- Indian River Lagoon Symposium : Steering Committee Member
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