Dr. Hugh Small was awarded a PhD in Marine Sciences in 2026 from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Life Sciences, at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona.

Dr. Small holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Upper Second Class Honours from The UWI, Mona, which he completed in 2002, and a Master of Philosophy in Botany from The UWI, Mona, awarded in 2008. His academic and professional career has focused on tropical coastal and marine ecosystems, with particular interests in seagrass ecology, coral reef restoration, blue carbon, ecosystem resilience, and the effects of environmental change on marine habitats.

His doctoral research, “The Effects of Light Attenuation from Overwater Structures on Seagrass Community Structure and Soil Organic Carbon in Jamaican Coastal Waters,” supervised by Professor Mona Webber, investigated how artificial shading associated with overwater structures affects seagrass ecosystems. The research examined responses at structural, physiological, and ecosystem levels, providing important insights into how changes in light availability influence seagrass health, community structure, and ecosystem functioning.

Through controlled in situ experimentation, Dr. Small identified critical physiological and functional thresholds associated with light attenuation, beyond which seagrass resilience could no longer be sustained. The research advanced understanding of seagrass stress tolerance by helping to define the boundary between reversible acclimation and irreversible ecological decline. These findings are particularly relevant to the management of coastal development, where overwater structures and other activities can alter the underwater light environment and potentially affect the health and persistence of seagrass ecosystems.

Dr. Small’s research contributes to a broader understanding of the ecological and climate-related importance of tropical coastal ecosystems. His work on seagrasses includes an interest in their role in carbon sequestration and blue carbon, recognizing the capacity of coastal ecosystems to store carbon and contribute to climate-change mitigation. His research and professional activities also extend to coral reef ecosystems, mangrove restoration, water quality, and offshore marine environments, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and managing Jamaica’s coastal resources.

Through his research, teaching, and professional service, Dr. Small is committed to advancing the understanding, conservation, and sustainable management of Caribbean coastal and marine ecosystems and to ensuring that scientific knowledge contributes meaningfully to environmental policy, management, and climate resilience.