Dr. Austin J. Shelton III is an accomplished marine biologist and environmental scientist. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Guam (UOG), where he also serves as the Director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and UOG Sea Grant. With a B.S. in Marine Biology from Hawaii Pacific University, an M.S. in Zoology, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Dr. Shelton has dedicated his career to advancing sustainability and environmental conservation in island communities.
Dr. Shelton’s work extends far beyond academia as he actively collaborates with governmental and non-governmental organisations to promote sustainable development. As co-chair of Guam Green Growth (G3) and a trustee of the Micronesia Conservation Trust, Dr. Shelton plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and action plans for a sustainable future. His research efforts are supported by a diverse portfolio of grants from esteemed entities such as Sea Grant (NOAA), National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Passionate about nurturing STEM capacity in Pacific Islander communities, Dr. Shelton coordinates student research experiences and science fairs aimed at building a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders. His regional and international collaborations include roles as a steering committee member of the U.N. Local2030 Islands Network and a representative to the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Dr. Shelton’s dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable development has earned him recognition as an Obama Leader Asia Pacific and a Micronesia Conservation Coalition Tide Changer Educator. Through his multifaceted roles and tireless commitment, Dr. Shelton is actively contributing to the advancement of the 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and fostering a brighter, more sustainable future for island communities.
