Patrick M. Gaffney

Professor
Marine Biology and Biochemistry

University of Delaware

College of College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment
700 Pilottown Rd.
Lewes, DE 19958

Email: pgaffney@udel.edu
Phone: (302) 645-4364
Fax: (302) 645-4028

Education:
  • Ph.D., Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1986
    A.B., Zoology, University of California at Berkeley, 1973

Research Overview:

Dr. Gaffney’s research interests lie in the genetics of marine organisms, with an emphasis on mollusks and fish. Particular interests include population structure and application of molecular and genetic techniques to aquaculture and fisheries genetics. Molecular techniques are used for species and stock identification for purposes ranging from resource management to ecological monitoring, to the development of novel breeding schemes.

At present, Dr. Gaffney and his research team are studying the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, in an effort to develop disease-resistant strains for aquaculture and possibly the enhancement of the natural populations.

After graduating from the University of California in 1973, Dr. Gaffney spent a year as a Fulbright Fellow in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge in England.