Dr. Marc Slattery Retires After 30 Years of Service to the School of Pharmacy

Dean Donna Strum shared, “Dr. Slattery’s discoveries have expanded our understanding of the natural world, and equally remarkable is the way he has shaped the lives of our students—providing them with extraordinary experiences. We are deeply grateful for his service to the School of Pharmacy and the University, and we wish him every success and joy in his next adventure.”

Dr. Slattery joined the School of Pharmacy in 1995 as an assistant professor following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory. Although he entered through a nontraditional path as a marine biologist, he quickly found a home where his expertise could thrive. His early work in coral reef ecology evolved into a broad, interdisciplinary research program encompassing drug discovery, evolutionary ecology, and environmental toxicology. Over his career, he earned numerous research and teaching awards, including the University’s Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award in 2018, and in 2025, he was named a Sigma Xi Fellow.

Dr. Slattery conducted thousands of scientific dives around the world, exploring environments from shallow tropical reefs to polar ecosystems. Through his leadership at NIUST, he built nationally recognized programs in coral reef chemical ecology and marine natural products. His research illuminated how chemical defenses in sponges and soft corals—organisms with primitive immune systems—can yield promising leads for cancer, infectious diseases, and other biomedical applications.

Dr. Slattery’s contributions have been especially meaningful in Mississippi. His environmental toxicology research on the Gulf Coast provided critical insight into the impacts of Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on oyster reefs and other marine systems. His work has informed restoration proposals, policymaking, and long‑term monitoring strategies aimed at strengthening coastal resilience.

Dr. Kristie Willett, Chair of BioMolecular Sciences, noted: “Throughout his career, Marc has been committed to building interdisciplinary research teams to address environmental health challenges, and in doing so, he has helped enrich many faculty and students’ research careers.”

Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Slattery is celebrated as a dedicated and innovative educator. He taught courses in infectious disease, medical microbiology, environmental toxicology, and chemical ecology, often incorporating hands‑on, experiential learning. Many of his graduate students became certified scientific divers under his mentorship, gaining unique research experiences that set them apart in their careers.

As Dr. Slattery embarks on a well‑earned retirement, the School of Pharmacy honors a career defined by curiosity, exploration, and a steadfast commitment to advancing science and education. His influence will continue to resonate through the students he mentored, the researchers he inspired, and the global scientific community he helped shape.