Joni Backstrom

Joni 'Osku' Backstrom is an experienced academic and consultant specializing in coastal and marine geology. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor and part-time faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington since August 2015, Joni Backstrom teaches introductory courses in Earth, Ocean, and Environmental Sciences, alongside conducting coastal and marine research. Previous roles include Lecturer at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Principal Marine Geologist at Fugro EMU Limited, where responsibilities involved project management, technical report writing, and stakeholder engagement. Joni Backstrom has extensive consulting experience in environmental impact assessments, coastal processes, and habitat mapping, with a focus on offshore wind farms and marine aggregates. Educational qualifications include a PhD in Environmental Science with a focus on Coastal and Marine Studies from Ulster University, an MSc in Marine Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and a BSc in Geology from Florida Atlantic University.