Rate My Professor Greg Tolley

Dr. Greg Tolley is Professor of Marine Science and Dean of The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). He holds a Ph.D. in Marine Science with a concentration in Biological Oceanography from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Zoology from Marshall University. Tolley joined FGCU in 1997 as Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies, advancing to Associate Professor in 1999 and full Professor in the Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences in 2004. His leadership roles include Chair of the Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences (2013–2019), Executive Director of The Water School (2019–2024), founding Director of the Coastal Watershed Institute (2004–2010), Program Coordinator for the M.S. in Environmental Science (2012–2019), and Director of Graduate Studies (2010–2012). Prior to FGCU, he served as Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science (1995–1997) and Courtesy Faculty there (1997–2006).

Tolley's research focuses on estuarine ecology and biogeography, particularly the effects of freshwater inflow on estuarine ecosystems, oyster reef communities, and the physiology of estuarine organisms such as crabs and oysters. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, with over 40 publications and more than 1,600 citations. Key works include "Recruitment of the crabs Eurypanopeus depressus, Rhithropanopeus harrisii, and Petrolisthes armatus to oyster reefs: the influence of freshwater inflow" (Estuaries and Coasts, 2013), "A broader view of ecosystem services related to oyster restoration" (Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2007), "Environmental significance of freshets in reducing Perkinsus marinus infection in eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica" (Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2003), "High-resolution molecular identification of smalltooth sawfish prey" (Scientific Reports, 2020), and "Diel movements of juvenile smalltooth sawfish" (Endangered Species Research, 2017). A Certified Fisheries Professional with the American Fisheries Society since 1998, Tolley has secured grants from the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He teaches oceanography, estuarine ecology, biogeography, and fish biology, and serves on the Board of Directors of Fish Florida, with past affiliations including Friends of Rookery Bay and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.