Dr. Pearl is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Maritime Studies Program at Texas A&M University in Galveston. He
also has graduate faculty appointments with the Department of Marine Sciences in Galveston and the Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M University in College Station. He received his B.A. from San Diego State University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He joined the faculty of Texas A&M Galveston in 2001. He teaches Archaeology of the Old World, Archaeology of the Pacific, Social and Cultural Anthropology, International Maritime Culture, and Introduction to Museums and Conservation. His current field projects are in American Samoa. He recently wrapped up a field project funded by the National Geographic Society, with ongoing research taking place here in Texas. In 2008 he will be returning to the Pacific for field projects in Samoa and Fiji. He is also working with local foundations to develop an archaeological research program on Galveston Island.