Hans W. Paerl, PhD, is a preeminent scholar and researcher in marine and environmental sciences. He holds the title of W.R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, serving within both the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering and the Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences. Based at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City, NC, his work is internationally recognized for its contributions to understanding nutrient cycling, eutrophication, and the dynamics of harmful algal blooms in aquatic systems.

Dr. Paerl’s research is focused on assessing the sources and roles of nutrients in estuarine and coastal water bodies, with particular emphasis on the Neuse and New River Estuaries and Pamlico Sound. His work employs innovative techniques, including the deployment of environmental sensors and the use of biological indicators on mobile platforms to monitor water quality and habitat conditions. He has been instrumental in developing long-term environmental monitoring programs, which have informed nutrient management strategies both in the United States and abroad—in regions such as China’s Lake Taihu and European coastal systems. His research also evaluates the combined impacts of human-induced nutrient enrichment and climate-related disturbances, such as storms and droughts, on water quality and ecosystem health.

Dr. Paerl’s extensive contributions are reflected in his curriculum vitae and his leadership in fostering sustainable water management practices.