Center for Environment & Society

Ruth Kelty

Center Fellow, Center for Environment & Society

Ecologist, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

E-mail: ruth.kelty@noaa.gov
Phone: (800) 422-1782, ext. 7176
Office: Custom House, 101 S. Water Street

Education

Ph.D., Marine Estuarine Environmental Ecology, University of Maryland, 2000.
B.A., Biology and Environmental Studies, Middlebury College, 1995.

Areas of Interest

Science-based decision making
Multidisciplinary science
Marine ecology, especially coral reef ecology, invert physiology, and nutrient cycling
Coastal stewardship, governance, and management
Transfer of research to applications
Environmental sociology
Leadership and promoting diversity in the sciences
Teaching

Career Highlights

My office’s mission is to provide the scientific basis for managing coastal and ocean ecosystems. I work in the headquarters office, integrating research across scientific disciplines and providing a link between the science conducted in Federal, university, and industry labs and the information needs of coastal decision-makers. Working with Federal partners and regional managers, I assess and address management needs - usually by integrating technical information to predict the social, economic, and ecological implications of potential management decisions. Ongoing projects address mercury contamination in the Gulf of Mexico, shoreline modification and dock management, cumulative impact assessment, research needs for coral reef ecosystem management, and better measures of land-based pollution. I also conduct applied research on bioindicators of ecosystem health, manage grant programs and research projects, and sneak away to help with as many coral cruises as possible.

Favorite Activities

I enjoy running, hiking, gardening, paddling, skiing, eating, biking, diving, and playing with my husband Ryan and daughter Taylor. We also spend a lot of time building and fixing things around the house.

Favorite Travel Destinations