
Media Expertise: Climate Change & Environment, Science & Technology
Areas of Interest: Natural Sciences, Environment, Marine Biology, Coastal Marine Habitats, Water Quality, Pollution Ecology, Wastewater Treatment, Environmental Science, Watershed Management, Public Speaking
Biography: John Dorsey received his B.S. in Marine Biology (1972) and M.S. in Biology (1975) from California State University, Long Beach, then traveled to Australia where he received his doctorate from the University of Melbourne in Zoology (1982). Presently he is an Associate Professor at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, in the Department of Civil Engineering & Environmental Science where teaches courses in environmental and marine sciences. His research program focuses on understanding fluctuations of fecal indicator bacteria along coastal beaches and wetlands associated with runoff and tidal flows, and assessing the prevalence of bacteria having multiple resistances to antibiotics in these coastal systems. John is a member of the Science Advisory Committee for the Ballona Wetlands Restoration project, and is a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. He also sits on numerous local and state technical committees dealing with water quality issues and policy, is past-president of the Southern California Academy of Science where he remains an active member of its Board of Directors, and is on the Board of Directors for the Southern California chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicologists & Chemists. Since 2011, he has been working with a special panel of environmental scientists and engineers through the American Academy of Environmental Engineers to develop a new certification exam for Environmental Scientists. John’s passion for good water quality is natural — he is an avid surfer, so most days he can be found at dawn surfing at El Porto near his home and LMU’s campus.
Full faculty profile | Contact John Dorsey