Dr. Bruce A. Carlson
Science Officer

As Science Officer at the Georgia Aquarium, Bruce Carlson is responsible for the Aquarium’s conservation and research initiatives.

In 1971, Carlson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  After graduating, he traveled to Guyana, South America, where he worked as a research assistant studying the reproductive biology of freshwater fishes.

In 1972, he joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.  His task was to conduct a biological survey of the marine life of the Fiji Islands and help establish a permanent collection for the university.  Nearly 30 years later, the university has created a new museum to house this collection, which has become very important for marine studies in Fiji.

In 1975, Carlson moved to Hawaii where he earned a doctorate at the University of Hawaii.  He started work at the Waikiki Aquarium in 1976 as a student aquarist. As an aquarist, he initiated a series of new exhibits which were “firsts” in the United States, including chambered nautilus in 1976, cuttlefish in 1977 and living corals and giant clams in 1978.  His research on nautilus eventually led to a successful breeding program for these “living fossils,” and in 1991 the Association of Zoos and Aquariums awarded the prestigious “Bean Award” to the Waikiki Aquarium in recognition of this work.

Carlson was appointed Director of the Waikiki Aquarium in 1990.  In 1992, he began work on a $3 million renovation of the old Aquarium.  Under his direction, the Aquarium operated on a budget of about $2.5 million annually and employed 38 full-time staff assisted by more than 200 trained volunteers from the community.

After 27 years working at the Waikiki Aquarium, Carlson joined the Georgia Aquarium and was part of the original team that designed the Aquarium. Carlson is an avid SCUBA diver, underwater photographer and videographer.  He has published several scientific articles on numerous topics including descriptions of new species of reef fishes, telemetry work on chambered nautilus and culture methods for corals in aquariums.  Carlson is also co-author of “Bringing the Ocean to Atlanta: The Creation of the Georgia Aquarium,” which contains hundreds of beautiful photographs and details the incredible journey from Bernie Marcus’ vision to the reality of the world’s largest aquarium.

• Bernard Marcus - Benefactor, Chairman of the Board, CEO
• Anthony Godfrey - President & COO
• Dr. Greg Bossart - Chief Veterinary Officer & Senior Vice President, Veterinary Services
• Matthew P. Hodgdon - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
• Billy Hurley - Chief Animal Officer & Senior Vice President, Husbandry
• Carey Rountree - Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
• Beach M. Clark, Jr - Vice President, Information Technology
• Kristie Cobb Hacke - Vice President, Development and Membership
• Joe Handy - Vice President, Guest Experience
• Timothy Mullican, DVM - Vice President, Veterinary Services and Husbandry
• Will Ramsey - Vice President, Group Sales
• Dr. Bruce A. Carlson - Science Officer
• Dr. Tonya Clauss - Chief Veterinarian
• Dr. Alistair Dove - Senior Scientist