Dr. Matthew R. Gilligan

Dr. Matthew R. Gilligan is tenured professor and coordinator of marine sciences in the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, College of Sciences and Technology.  He earned a the B.A. degree (Biology 1972) from Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York and Ph.D. degree (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 1980) from the University of Arizona. Since arriving at SSU in March 1980, he has taught courses in marine sciences (94 graduates of the B.S. degree program) and biology, helped design the marine biology building, chaired the proposal writing committee for the M.S. degree in marine sciences, and has authored or co-authored 30 publications and technical reports.  His awards include Savannah State University Distinguished Professor AY 2001-2002;  NOAA Environmental Hero Award from Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Mr. James Baker, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1994; and Savannah State College National Alumni Association President's Award, 1989.

He  currently co-directs the Bridge to Research in Marine Sciences REU Summer Program (with Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 9^th year, NSF-funded), the Collaboration to Integrate Research and Education in Marine Sciences Program (with Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, 4^th year, NSF funded), and the Living Marine Resources Collaborative Science Center (with University of Maryland- Eastern Shore, Hampton University, Delaware State University, University of Miami, SEFSC and NEFSC, NOAA, 1^st year NOAA-funded). He is also the activity director for the Title III (U.S. Department of Education) Marine, Environmental Science, and Biotechnology Research Center at SSU.

He chairs the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, and is as a member of advisory boards of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (University System of Georgia) and Skidaway Marine Science Foundation. He chairs the Education Committee of the Southern Association of Marine Laboratories, serves on the steering committee of the NOAA Expanding Opportunities Program, has served as a minority mentor for the CURMLO Minorities program at ASLO meetings since 1990, and organized a diversity panel session at the Fall 2001 National Association of Marine Laboratories Meeting (Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR), sponsored by the Southern Association of Marine Laboratories.  In January 2002, he testified before The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy on ocean science education in the Southeast.