Justina
Dacey

About

Justina Dacey serves as the Florida Bivalve and Seagrass Restoration Consortium Coordinator. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on coastal biogeochemical processes in shellfish as part of the Guana Nutrients, Budgets, and Bivalves National Estuarine Research Reserve Science Collaborative.

Before pursuing her Ph.D., she worked as a UF/IFAS Extension Agent, developing and implementing natural resource education programs on topics ranging from coastal restoration to soil health in agricultural enterprises. She is passionate about both research and science communication, striving to advance conservation efforts to protect Florida’s unique ecosystems.

Justina holds an M.S. in Marine Science from Jacksonville University and a B.S. in Biology from Florida State University.

Projects, Research & Specializations

In Justina’s role with Florida Sea Grant, she leads efforts to engage a network of experts in identifying key research priorities for bivalve and seagrass restoration. This initiative aims to facilitate the replication of research across multiple regions, ensuring consistent and comparable data that inform the ecological benefits of bivalve-seagrass ecosystems.

As coordinator, Justina collaborates with consortium members statewide to develop a Bivalve and Seagrass Restoration Guide, providing a resource for future restoration projects across Florida.