Profile

Kiho Kim

Department Chair, Environmental Science
Environmental Science

  • Dr. Kim is a marine ecologist specializing in tropical coral reefs of the Caribbean. He received his PhD at the University of Buffalo and did his post-doctoral work at Cornell University. His research focuses on the role of diseases in coral population ecology and the synergistic effects of environmental factors in the decline of coral reefs. He is currently a member of the Ocean Studies Board of the National Academies of Science, is an advisor to the Coral Disease Working Group of the World Bank, and is a councillor of the International Society for Reef Studies.

  • Degrees

    PhD, Biology, University at Buffalo
    MS, Biology, Florida International University
    BSc Biology, Environmental Studies, Brock University

  • OFFICE

  • CAS - Environmental Science
  • Hurst - 105
  • M 1:30-4:30, F 9-12
    Email for other hours

  • CONTACT INFO

  • (202) 885-2181 (Office)
  • Send email Profile UserID

  • MEDIA RELATIONS

  • To request an interview
    please call AU Media Relations
    at 202-885-5950 or
    submit an interview request form.

Partnerships & Affiliations

Teaching

  • Fall 2009

    • GNED-150 General Education Area 5 Topic: The Sustainable Earth
    • Description
    • UCOL-100 Univ College Washington Lab: The Sustainable Earth
    • Description

  • Spring 2010

    • ENVS-596 Selected Topics:Non-Recurring: Practice of Environmentalism
    • Description
    • GNED-150 General Education Area 5 Topic: The Sustainable Earth
    • Description
    • UCOL-001 University College Lab: Sustainable Earth
    • Description

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Research Interests

Dr. Kim's research focuses on understanding the role of diseases in coral population ecology and the synergistic effects of environmental factors, such as nutrient pollution and ocean warming, in the decline of coral reefs. Projects on in my lab include: i) long-term monitoring of the impact of aspergillosis on sea fans, ii) elucidating the role of microbial communities on coral surfaces in disease, and iii) examining the interaction between nutrient pollution and disease.

Grants and Sponsored Research

  • 2008, NOAA-Fisheries Habitat Conservation Program Office. Testing for links between nutrient pollution and coral health and disease
  • 2006, NOAA–National Undersea Research Center. The link between coral hosts, surface microbiota and disease
  • 2003, US-EPA, Origins and impacts of the Sea Fan Aspergillosis Epizootic Explored with Molecular and Field Techniques
  • 2002, NOAA–National Undersea Research Center. Impact of Aspergillosis of sea fan corals in the Florida Keys, Rapid Response Support
  • 2000, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—National Undersea Research Center, Aspergillosis of sea fans in the Florida Keys: disease resistance and spread

Selected Publications

  • Kim K, C Paige & CD Harvell (2009) The The role of environment and microorganisms in diseases of corals: overview of DAO Special 5. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 87: 1-3
  • National Research Council (2008) Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century. The National Academies Press
  • Baker DM, SE MacAvoy & K Kim (2007). The Relationship between water quality, δ15N, and aspergillosis of Caribbean sea fan corals. Marine Ecology-Progress Series 343: 123-130
  • Ward JR, Kim K & Harvell CD (2007) Temperature affects coral disease resistance and pathogen growth. Marine Ecology-Progress Series 329:115-121
  • Kim K,  AP Alker, K Shuster, C Quirolo & CD Harvell (2006) Longitudinal study of aspergillosis of sea fan corals. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 69: 95-99.
  • Kim K, AP Dobson, FMD Gulland & CD Harvell. 2005. Diseases and the Conservation of Marine Diversity. In Marine Conservation Biology edited by E Norse & L Crowder, Island Press. Pp 149-166.
  • Kim K & CD Harvell (2004) The rise and fall of a six-year coral-fungal epizootic. The American Naturalist 164: S52-S63.
  • Alker A, K Kim, D Dube & CD Harvell (2004) Localized induction of a generalized response against multiple biotic agents in Caribbean sea fans. Coral Reefs 23: 397-405.

Honors, Awards, and Fellowships

CURRICULUM VITAE

Download (PDF)

AU Expert

Area of Expertise: Marine biology, coral reef ecology, marine conservation

Additional Information: Kiho Kim is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Science at American University. He received his PhD in 1996 at the State University of New York–Buffalo, studying the ecology of tropical coral reefs, and did his postdoctoral work at Cornell University. Kim has participated in working groups at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) examining the ecology of diseases. He has worked with the British Council in promoting international networking for young scientists and is currently an advisor to the Coral Disease Working Group of the World Bank. As chair of the Department of Environmental Science at American University, Kim focuses on training undergraduate and graduate students to be clear and effective advocates for science in policy making. He is currently a member of the Ocean Studies Board (OSB) of the National Academies of Science (NAS). Kim’s research focuses on understanding the role of diseases in coral population ecology and the synergistic effects of environmental factors, such as nutrient pollution and ocean warming, in the decline of coral reefs. Kim is coauthor of the article, "Aspergillosis of Sea Fan Corals: Dynamics in the Florida Keys" in The Everglades, Florida Bay and Coral Reefs of the Florida Keys(CRC Press). Kim is also coauthor of the article "Diseases and the Conservation of Marine Diversity" in Marine Conservation, edited by E. Norse and L. Crowder (Island Press). Projects in his lab include:

  • long-term monitoring of the impact of aspergillosis on sea fan corals in the Florida Keys
  • elucidating the role of microbial communities on coral surfaces in disease
  • examining the interaction between nutrient pollution and disease on corals reefs

 

Media Relations
To request an interview please call AU Media Relations at 202-885-5950 or submit an interview request form.

AU News and Achievements

Events Today

(rss)
Today's Events Time
United Methodist Worship Service 7:00 pm
United Methodist Fellowship 8:00 pm
African Film Festival 8:00 pm
MORE EVENTS

Newly Updated AUPedia

(rss)
MORE INSIDER GUIDES