Mystic Aquarium

Research Scientist

Dr. Paul Anderson has pursued his interests in marine aquaria since his youth as an avid hobbyist.  His zeal for the marine environment led him from his hometown in Massachusetts to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL to pursue a BS degree in marine science; along the way, supervising the aquaria of the Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory and investigating a commensal relationship between territorial damselfish and mysid schools in Belize, Central America.  His hobby became his profession when he joined Mote Marine Aquarium (Sarasota, FL) as an Aquarist and Mobile Exhibit Coordinator in 1997 and later, The Pier Aquarium (St. Petersburg, FL) as its Senior Aquarist and Education Coordinator.  His love for science and learning brought him to The University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) in 2002, where he earned his PhD in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; developed focused interests in fish behavior, physiology, and sensory biology, and the application of those sciences to improve fish health, welfare, and reproduction in the contexts of aquarium husbandry and aquaculture.  In 2008, Dr. Anderson joined The Florida Aquarium (Tampa, FL) as its first Conservation and Research Coordinator, cultivating a blossoming and diverse program in marine conservation, research, restoration, rescue and rehabilitation.  In 2012, he joined The University of Tampa (Tampa, FL) as an Adjunct Faculty Member, training future biologists in fundamental biology and environmental science courses.  Over his career, Dr. Anderson has published twelve peer-reviewed scientific publications, given over 92 presentations in the field to audiences of all ages all over the United States, garnered over $700,000 in grants and scholarships to support marine science research and conservation initiatives, and has been featured on programs aired on ABC, National Geographic, and other media outlets.  He is a member of the Animal Behavior Society, the American Fisheries Society, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the World and U.S. Aquaculture Societies.  Having joined the Sea Research Foundation and the Mystic Aquarium as a Research Scientist in Fall 2012 as part of a milestone in the growth of its Research and Veterinary Services, Dr. Anderson is eager to round out the expertise of the organization with his contributions and insights into fish and elasmobranch behavior, physiology, and sensory biology; while also applying those sciences to complement a productive research program in marine mammal health.