Sampling vegetation in a restored wetland at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, Saugus, MA (L-R: Charles Roman, National Park Service; Marc Albert, National Park Service; & MJ James-Pirri).
Named 2012 top researcher by the National Park Service
Education
Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, Biological Sciences, 1996
M.S., University of New Hampshire, Zoology,1990
B.A., Colby College, Biology, 1985
Boston University-SEA Semester (W-73), winter 1983-1984
Research focus
My research interests focus on estuarine and coastal ecology, specifically, the responses of salt marsh vegetation and nekton communities to restoration and management activities. I am also interested in the ecology, behavior and life history of marine arthropods, particularly horseshoe crabs and decapod crustaceans. I provide research and technical expertise for sample design and statistical analyses and interpretation to the National Park Service. I work closely with local non-profit agencies and federal agencies (National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service) to develop and implement long-term monitoring protocols.
Employment history
Marine Research Associate IV, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 2002 to present
Marine Research Associate III, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 1999-2002
Coastal Marine Resource Specialist, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service Restoration Center, 1998-1999
Wetlands Ecologist (Post-doctoral), Office of Mosquito Abatement, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, 1996-1998.
Lecture and teaching experience
Invited lecturer- Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting. June 2011. University of Rhode Island.
Invited lecturer- Green Eggs and Sand Workshop. June 2011. Cornell Cooperative Extension & State University of New York, Stony Brook.
Invited Lecturer- Applied Coastal Ecology. University of Rhode Island, 2000-present
Adjunct Professor, Community College of Rhode Island, 1998 (Human Anatomy)
Instructor, University of Rhode Island, 1996-1999 (Ecology, General Biology, Human Anatomy)
Professional Memberships and Committee Affiliations
Cooperator, North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (2003 to present)
Estuarine Research Federation (2001 to present)
New England Estuarine Research Society (2000 to present)
Organization Committee, New England Estuarine Research Society Conference, Fall 2004, 2008, 2012 meetings
Senior Fellow of the Coastal Institute, University of Rhode Island (2005 to present)
Southern New England Horseshoe Crab Technical Committee (2007 to present)
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society (1988 to 2002)
Technical Advisory Committee, Rhode Island Habitat Restoration Team (2001-2003)
Reviewer for Journals and Agencies
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Estuaries/Estuaries and Coasts
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Field Crop Research
Fisheries Bulletin
Journal of Crustacean Biology
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Marine Biology
Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology
National Estuarine Research Reserve (Narragansett Bay Reserve)
National Park Service
National Science Foundation
Northeast Naturalist, reviewer & guest editor
NOAA Coastal Ocean Research/Coastal Ocean Program
Restoration Ecology
Sea Grant (New York and Connecticut)
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Contact information
Mary-Jane James-Pirri
University of Rhode Island
Graduate School of Oceanography
Box 6
South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882
(401) 874-6617 (phone)
(401) 874-6887 (fax)