Dr. Mark Luckenbach is a marine ecologist with expertise in coastal and estuarine benthic community ecology. His research over the past 35+ years has focused on shellfish ecology with an emphasis on recruitment dynamics, restoration ecology, non-native species, aquaculture development and aquaculture-environment interactions. He has served as the Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Eastern Shore Laboratory, a field station located in the seaside village of Wachapreague, for over 21 years.

Currently he holds the position of Associate Dean of Research and Advisory Service within the School of Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary.