Mike Kingston
Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
Department: Biology
Email: kingston@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-6182
Professional Expertise
Brief Biography
In addition to his position as a Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies, Dr. Kingston served as the Founding Chair of the Elon University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (2013-2021) and continues to serve as the Founding Curator of the Elon University Roger Barbour Collection of wildlife images (2003-present). He served as the Biology Department Chair from 2002-2006 and the Environmental Studies Interim Chair from 2009-2011 and 2015-2017. He has taught a variety of courses on the following topics: population biology, ecology, aquatic biology, marine ecology, oceanography, deep sea biology, experimental design, `field biology in Jamaica, field biology in Belize, biostatistics, environmental issues of southeast Asia, ocean sustainability, and ecological research. He was an adjunct summer faculty member in the Nicholas School of the Environment at the Duke University Marine Lab where he has taught marine ecology and marine invertebrate biology (2007-2019).
Over the last 40 years, his research interests have centered on the evolutionary ecology of benthic marine and freshwater microalgae with a focus on the genera Euglena and Hantzschia. He has conducted field research in California, Oregon, and Alaska as well as North Carolina. Undergraduate students have served as co-investigators and coauthors on some of these projects. His most recent research investigates the establishment and invasion of the light bulb tunicate Clavelina oblonga to the Newport River Estuary located between Beaufort and Morehead City, North Carolina.
His on-going professional associations include the Phycological Society of America, the North Carolina Academy of Science (NCAS) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Currently, he is an Associate Editor of the Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science (JNCAS). He has served this organization as its Secretary (2025-2028), President-Elect (2012, 2021), President (2013, 2022), Past President (2014, 2023), Editorial Board member, Elected Board Member, Chair of the Annual Meeting Committee, Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee, Vice President, and a member of the grants-in-aid of undergraduate research committee. His professional service also includes serving as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Phycology, the Journal of Diatom Research, the European Journal of Phycology, the Journal of Marine Biology and Ecology, and the NSF Grants Program.
Links
News & Notes
Education
1990 Ph.D., Botany, Duke University, Durham, NC, "Vertical Migration of Benthic Microalgae" 242
pp., University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI.
1984 M.S., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, "Factors
Affecting the Vertical Distribution of Dissimilar Phases of Gigartina papillata (Rhodophyta)" 94
pp.
1981 B.S., Summa cum laude, Marine Science (conc. in biology), Southampton College, Long Island
University, Southampton, NY
Employment History
2011-25 Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies, Elon University:
2019-09 Visiting Summer Adjunct Faculty, Nicholas School of the Environment of Duke
University and the Duke University Marine Laboratory.
2010-02 Associate Professor of Biology (tenured), Elon University:
2007 Visiting Summer Adjunct Faculty, Nicholas School of the Environment of Duke University
and the Duke University Marine Laboratory:
2002-1995 Assistant Professor of Biology (tenure-track), Elon College and Elon University:
1995 Visiting Summer Adjunct Faculty, Duke University’s Nicholas School for the Environment
and the Duke University Marine Laboratory.
1995-92 Assistant Professor of Biology (non-tenure track), Elon College:
1992-91 Instructor of Biology, Elon College:
Courses Taught
Sustainable Seas: Envisioning a New Future for the Earth's Oceans (Cor 3370)
Biodiversity (Bio 1514)
Environmental Issues of S.E. Asia (Cor 399)
Experimental Design (Bio 2520)
General Ecology & Ecology Lab (Bio 3622 & BioL 3623)
Introductory Seminar (Bio 261)
Introduction to Population Biology (Bio 2512) & Population Biology Lab (Bio 2513)
Marine Ecology-- Nicholas School of the Environment of Duke University and the Duke University Marine Laboratory
Terror of the Deep (Bio 105)
Senior Seminar (Bio 462)
Biology Internship (Bio 4985)
Biology Research (Bio 4999)
Honors Research (Hon 499)
Leadership Positions
Secretary of the North Carolina Academy of Science (2025-2028)
Past-President of the North Carolina Academy of Science (2023-2024)]
President of the North Carolina Academy of Science (2022-2023)
President-Elect of the North Carolina Academy of Science (2021-2022)
Secretary/Treasurer to the Elon University Chapter of AAUP (2015-2020)
Founding Chair of the Elon University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (2013-present)
Associate Editor of the Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science (2014-present)
Interim Chair of the Environmental Studies Department (2015-2017 and 2009-2011)
Immediate Past President of the North Carolina Academy of Science (NCAS) (2014-2015)
President of NCAS (2013-2014)
President-Elect of NCAS (2012-2013)NCAS Annual Meeting Local Arrangements Committee Chair (2010-2011)
NCAS Chair of the Annual Meeting Committee (2009-2010)
NCAS Elected Member of the Board of Directors (2007-2010)
Biology Department Chair, Elon University (2003-2007)
NCAS Annual Meeting Local Arrangements Committee Chair (1998-1999)Collegiate Academy of NCAS Local Arrangements Chair for Annual Undergraduate Research Workshop (1997)
Vice-President of NCAS (1996-1997)Research
Dr. Kingston's research focuses on the evolutionary and ecological significance of vertical migration of microalgae that inhabit the sandy bottoms of marine, estuarine, and freshwater habitats. Even though these organisms are microscopic, their large numbers make them visible to the naked eye as they form green or golden brown patches on the surface of the sand. On the banks of North Carolina streams, Euglena viridis, forms patches from a few square centimeters in size up to a few square meters in size but the same species can form patches that exceed 200 square meters on the open beaches of southern California. In North Carolina, this species exhibits a diurnal pattern of vertical migration with the cells on the surface during the day and up to 5 cm deep at night. In California, it exhibits a tidal migration pattern with cells on the beach surface only during daytime low tide and more than 15 cm below the surface during daytime high tides and at night. My work examines the role of light, nutrients, waves, and tidal amplitude on the migratory behavior of the diatoms and euglenoids.
Another avenue of research for Dr. Kingston is the invasive species Clavelina oblonga, also know as the light bulb tunicate, which appeared in North Carolina waters in 2014. In 2024, an 8-month study was initiated to examine the effect of reproductive timing, adult senescence, seasons, and fish predators on the invasive ability of this Carribean Sea species which has invaded coastal waters in the Atlantic Ocean, the Paciifc Ocean, the Adriatic Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Current Projects
Between 2009 and 2019, Dr. Kingston has conducted a series of on-going experiments examining the role of fish predators on the settlement and growth of fouling community species including an invasive tunicate species, Clavelina oblonga, that appeared in North Carolina coastal waters in summer 2014. In May 2024, he began an 12-month study examining seasonal as well as predator effects on C. oblonga and other members of the fouling community that was supported by a sabbatical leave award in the fall 2024 semester.
Grants Awarded
2023 Sabbatical Leave Award (Fall 2024), Faculty Research and Development (FR&D)
2023 Sabbatical Assistance Grant, FR&D ($941.44)
2022 Kernodle Center Community Partnership Initiative Rolling Grant $387.
2020 College of Arts and Sciences Winter Term Course Enhancement Grant, $300.
2019 Academic Service Learning Scholars Program Grant, $1000.00
2018 College of Arts and Sciences Winter Term Course Enhancement Grant, $600.
2016 Faculty Sabbatical Grant, Elon University, "Horizontal and Vertical Distribution of Vertically
Migrating Microalgae on an Oregon Beach: Effect of Time and Tide", Elon University
Faculty Research and Development Committee, $23,230.
2012 Fund for Excellence in the Arts and Sciences Grant, “Elon’s Eco-Hub: interdisciplinary
teaching and research on the Loy property,” $1,650.
2011 Elon Associate Provost Grant for Faculty Development, “Establish Infrastructure and
Baseline Vegetation Surveys in the Elon University Forest,” $10,724.
2010 Fund for Excellence in the Arts and Sciences Grant, “Exploring Interdisciplinary Opportunities
in Computational Science.” $1850.
2010 Software Grant, Academic Technology and Computing Committee, Elon University,
“Incorporating Specialized Software for Ecological Methodology Courses,” $970.
2007 Faculty Sabbatical Grant, Elon University, “Vertical Migration of Euglena,” $18,000.
2005 Technology Enhancement Grant, Instructional Design and Development Department, Elon
University, "Incorporation of Standard Statistical Software into the Biology Curriculum
(Sophomore-Senior Year),” $4000.
2005 Software Grant, Academic Technology and Computing Committee, Elon
University,“Incorporation of Standard Statistical Software into the Biology Curriculum
(Sophomore-Senior Year),” $2000
2002 Faculty R&D Summer Fellowship Grant, Elon University, “Disturbance on the Vertical and
Horizontal Distribution of Euglena viridis,” $5260.
2002 Faculty R&D Grant-in-Aid of Research, Elon University, “Vertical Migration of Oregon Surf
Algae,” $1075.
2000 Academic Technology and Computing Committee Software Grant, Elon College, “Biology
Department Statistical Software Standardization,” $1281.
2000 Faculty R&D Summer Fellowship Grant, Elon College, “Vertical Migration and
Ecophysiology of Euglena sp. $4425.
2000 Faculty R&D Grant-in-Aid of Research,,Elon College, “Vertical Migration of California Surf
Algae, $1375.
1998 Travel Grant to Thailand, part of U.S. Department of Education Grant to Elon College to
develop the Asian Studies Program ($2700)
1996 Faculty R&D Committee Summer Fellowship Grant, Elon College, “Vertical Migration of
Benthic Microalgae in Freshwater Ecosystems, $3500.
1995 Burroughs Wellcome Pharmaceuticals Corp. Science Faculty Grant, “Vertical Migration and
Photosynthesis in Benthic Microalgae, $950.
1995 Environmental Studies Faculty Study Group Grant, part of NEH funded “Connecting Learning in
the Humanities and Sciences” Grant to Elon College $2350.
1993 Burroughs Wellcome Science Faculty Scholarship, “Tropical Marine Biology,” $1200.
1993 Faculty R&D Grant-in-Aid of Research, Elon College, “Tropical Marine Bioloty,” $220.
1989 Grant-in-Aid of Research, Phycological Society of America, “Effects of Groundwater
Seepage on Benthic Micralgal Patchiness on Intertidal Sandflats,” $500.
1983 Grant-in-Aid of Research, Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, “A Unique Association
of Separate Morphs of Gigartina papillata: Combining Selective Strategies,” $300.
1982 Grant-in-Aid of Research, Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, “The Impact of
Competition upon the Zonation of Intertidal Algae,” $150.
Publications
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Kingston, M.B. 2025. Microhabitat partitioning in two vertically migrating diatoms: Hantzachia virgata and Caloneis amphisbaena. Journal of Phycology 61(Suppl.) (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 2009. Growth and motility of the diatom Cylindrotheca closterium: Implications for commercial applications. Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science 124(4):138-142.
Kingston, M.B. and J.S. Gough. 2009. Vertical migration of a mixed species Euglena (Euglenophyta) assemblage inhabiting the high intertidal sands of Nye Beach, Oregon. Accepted for publication J. Phycol. 45:1021-1029.l
Kingston, M.B. 2002. Effect of sub-surface nutrients on the vertical migration of Euglena proxima. J. Phycol. 38:872-880.
Kingston, M.B. 1999. Effect of light on the vertical migration and photosynthesis of Euglena proxima Euglenophyta). J. Phycol. 35:245-253.
Kingston, M.B. 1999. Wave effects on the vertical migration of two benthic microalgae: Hantzschia virgata var. intermedia and Euglena proxima. Estuaries 22:81-91.
Horst, R.W. and M.B. Kingston. 1995. Feeding and social facilitation in the sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator. Bios 66:79-85.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Kingston, M.B. 2019. Predator mediated establishment of the exotic tunicate Clavelina oblonga in Beaufort, NC. Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science 135(3-4):20. (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 2016. Predatory fish and invasive species effects on early fouling community ecology in Beaufort NC. Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science 132(3-4):18. (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 2010. Review of ‘Diatom Taxonomy, Ultrastructure and Ecology: Modern Methods and Timeless Questions,’ Kociolek, J.Pl, E.C. Theriot, and R.J. Stephenson (eds.), Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science 126(2):67. (Book Review)
Kingston, M.B. 2006. Effect of time and irradiance on Intertidal multi-species Euglena patches in Oregon. Phycological Society of America, 7/7/06, (Abstract)
Kingston, M. 2006. Growth and motility of the diatom Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehr) Lewin & Reimann in batch culture. J. North Carolina Acad. Sci. 122(2):82. (Abstract)
Kingston, M. and J. Gough. 2004. Phototactic behavior of benthic microalgae on Oregon beaches: a preliminary report. J. North Carolina Acad. Sci. 120(2):69-70. (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 2003. Comparative Analysis of Vertically Migrating Euglena viridis Populations in Tidal and Non-Tidal Benthic Environments. J. Phycol. 39(s1):29. (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B., J. Pflaum, and L. Plocek. 2002. Hurricane damage to a Piedmont forest: tree size and species effects. J. North Carolina Acad. Sci. 118(2):113-4. (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. and A.J. Baugh. 2001. Vertical migration of Euglena viridis on Scripps Beach, La Jolla, California. J. Phycol. 37(3):28 (Suppl.) (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 2000. Vertical migration of Euglena sp. on the sand banks of a North Carolina Piedmont Stream. J. Phycol. 36(3):36 (Suppl.) (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 1999. Effect of light on the vertical migration and photosynthesis of Euglena proxima (Euglenophyta). J. Phycol. 35:245-253.
Kingston, M.B. 1999. Wave effects on the vertical migration of two benthic microalgae: Hantzschia virgata var. intermedia and Euglena proxima. Estuaries 22:81-91.
Kingston, M.B. 1997. Vertical migration of Euglena sp. in a Piedmont stream. J. Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 113(2):86. (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 1996. Phototactic control of vertical migration of Euglena proxima. J. Phycol. 32(3):25 (Suppl.). (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 1995. Light effects on the vertical migration and photophysiology of Euglena proxima and Hantzschia virgata. J. Phycol. 31(3):11 (Suppl.). (Abstract)
Horst, R.W. and M.B. Kingston. 1995. Feeding and social facilitation in the sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator. Bios 66:79-85.
Kingston, M.B. 1995. The Three Year Itch. Mind Matters 5(2):1-2. (Writing journal)
Kingston, M.B. 1991. Porewater nutrients and the vertical migration of Euglena proxima. J. Phycol. 27(3):39 (Suppl.). (Abstract)
Kingston, M.B. 1990. The influence of waves on the vertical migration of benthic microalgae. J. Phycol. 26(2):5. (Suppl.). (Abstract)
Presentations
2025 Phycological Society of America 79th Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Microhabitat partitioning in two vertically migrating diatoms: Hantzachia virgata and Caloneis amphisbaena.
2022 North Carolina Academy of Science 119th Annual Meeting, Buies Creek, NC. Less is more: Incorporating inquiry based undergraduate reseearch into a general ecology course.
2019 North Carolina Academy of Science 116th Annual Meeting, Wilmington, NC. Predator mediated establishment of the exotic tunicate Clavelina oblonga in Beaufort, NC
2016 North Carolina Academy of Science 113th Annual Meeting, Fayetteville, NC. Predatory Fish and Invasive Species Effects on Early Fouling Community Succession in Beaufort, NC
2008 Northwest Algal Symposium, Charleston, OR. Temporal and Vertical Distribution of Euglena spp. in Beach Sand.
2006 Phycological Society of America Meeting, Juneau, AL. Effect of Time and Irradiance on Intertidal Multi-species Euglena Patches in Oregon.
2006 North Carolina Academy of Science 103rd Annual Meeting, Greensboro, NC. Growth and Motility of the Diatom Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehr) Lewin & Reimann in Batch Culture.
2005 North Carolina Academy of Science 102nd Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC Light and Nutrient Effects on Phototaxis and Cell Morphology of Euglena proxima.
2003 Phycological Society of America Meeting, Gleneden Beach, OR. Comparative Analysis of Vertically Migrating Euglena viridis Populations in Tidal and Non-Tidal Benthic Environments.
2002 North Carolina Academy of Science 99th Annual Meeting, Chapel Hill, NC. Hurricane damage to a Piedmont forest: Tree size and species effects.
2001 Phycological Society of America Meeting, Estes Park, CO. Vertical Migration of Euglena viridis on Scripps Beach, La Jolla, California
2000 Phycological Society of America Meeting, San Diego, CA. Vertical Migration of Euglena viridis on the sand banks of a North Carolina Piedmont Stream.
1997 North Carolina Academy of Science 94th Annual Meeting, Durham, NC. Vertical Migration of Euglena sp. in a Piedmont Stream.
1996 Phycological Society of America Meeting, Santa Cruz, CA. Phototactic Control of Vertical Migration of Euglena proxima.
1996 Project Kaleidoscope’s Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO. Field Biology in Belize Poster Presentation
1995 Phycological Society of America Meeting, Breckinridge, CO. Light Effects on the Vertical Migration and Photophysiology of Euglena proxima and Hantzschia virgata.
1991 International Phycological Congress and Annual Phycological Society of America Joint Meeting, Durham, NC. Porewater Nutrients and the Vertical Migration of Euglena proxima.
1991 Marine Benthic Ecology Meeting, Williamsburg, VA. Wave Scour and the Vertical Migration of Benthic Microalgae.
1990 Phycological Society of America Meeting, College Park, MD. The Influence of Waves on the Vertical Migration of Benthic Microalgae.
1989 Southeastern Phycological Colloquy, Wilmington, NC. Phototaxis and Vertical Migration Rhythms in a Sediment Dwelling Euglena.
l988 Southeastern Phycological Colloquy, St. Petersburg Beach, FA. Light Effects on VerticaMigration of Benthic Microalgae.
1984 Southeastern Phycological Colloquy, Melbourne, FA. Zonation of Heteromorphic Phases of Gigartina papillata (Rhodophyta).
Professional Activities
2025 Secretary of the North Carolina Academy of Science
2023 Past-President of the North Carolina Academy of Science
2022 President of the North Carolina Academy of Science
2021 President-Elect of the North Carolina Academy of Science
2014` Past-President of the North Carolina Academty of Science
Associate Editor of the Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science
2013 President of the North Carolina Academy of Science
2013 Judge for the Derieux Awards for best student poster presentations in Ecology and
Environmental Science Section of the North Carolina Academy of Science’s 101st
Annual Meeting, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, NC
2013-12 President-Elect of the North Carolina Academy of Science
2012 Judge for the Derieux Awards for best student poster presentations in the Botany/Zoology
Section of the North Carolina Academy of Science’s 101st Annual Meeting, Campbell
University, Buies Creek, NC
2012-05 Editorial Board of the North Carolina Academy of Science Journal
2011 Peer Reviewer for the Journal of Phycology
2011-10 NCAS Annual Meeting Local Arrangements Committee Chair
2010 Judge for the Derieu Awards for best student paper presentations in the Ecology Section of the
North Carolina Academy of Science’s 99th Annual Meeting, Guilford College, Greensboro, NC
2010-09 Chair of the Annual Meeting Committee, North Carolina Academy of Science Board of
Directors
2010-07 Elected Member, North Carolina Academy of Science Board of Directors
2008 Judge for the Derieux Awards for best student paper presentations in the Zoology Section of
the North Carolina Academy of Science’s 97th Annual Meeting, University of North
Carolina, Greensboro. NC
2007 Peer Reviewer for the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
2007-03 Biology Department Chair, Elon University
2006 Peer Reviewer for the European Journal of Phycology
2005 Chair of the Ecology Paper Session of the North Carolina Academy of Science’s 102nd Annual
Meeting, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
Awards
2023 Sabbatical Award for Fall 2024, Elon University
2021 30 Year Service Award, Elon University
2019 Academic Service Learning Scholars Program for 2019
2017 Sabbatical Award for Spring 2018
2012 Sustainability Faculty Scholars Program for 2012-2013
2011 20 Year Service Award, Elon University
2010 Promotion to rank of professor, Elon University
2007 Sabbatical Award for Spring 2008
2006 15 Year Service Award, Elon University
2002 Tenure award and promotion to associate professor rank, Elon University
2001 10 Year Service Award, Elon College
1999 Barbara H. Carlton Advisor of the Year, Student Government Association, Elon College
1999 Exemplary 5-Year Service Award for Advising
1996 Appointment to Project Kaleidoscope’s Class of 1996--Faculty for the 21st Century
1996 5 Year Service Award, Elon College
1991 Election to Full Membership in Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society