VESF’s Consulting Scientist/Technologist- Dr. Russell Burke
Dr. Burke is the chief consulting scientist to VESF with expertise in biogenic breakwater reef technology for oyster reef restoration and living shoreline solutions for communities seeking more natural, sustainable approaches to shoreline protection and oyster reef development. Dr. Burke earned his Bachelors of Science in Marine Science and Environmental Science from Rider University, and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the College of William and Mary’s School of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Currently, he is a full-time professor at Christopher Newport as well as founder of Biogenic Solutions Consulting, LLC., committed to tackling the challenges to water quality and fisheries habitat degradation that higher intensity storm events and sea-level rise inflict on coastal islands and waterfront communities. His interests lie in mitigating the impact of flood and erosion damage through the deployment of novel wave attenuation structures tailored to the specific endangered location.