Welcoming our new BML Academic Administrator, Dr. Elise Fairbairn
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Ellie Fairbairn has accepted the position of Academic Administrator at the Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML). In this role, Dr. Fairbairn will oversee select undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as our public outreach and engagement efforts at BML. The education and outreach programs of Bodega Marine Laboratory, Bodega Marine Reserve, and the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute all synergistically represent the many facets of marine science education at UC Davis.
Ellie’s extensive experience with marine research, outreach and curriculum development, and program administration, along with her deep and enduring affection for UC Davis and BML, make her an ideal colleague to advance BML and CMSI education programs. She is excited to support the ongoing coursework that is critical to several majors (including the Marine and Coastal Science major), to develop new curriculum that expands the diversity of our programs and opportunities for hands-on learning, and to support the training of marine science graduate students.
Most of all, Ellie is thrilled to have the opportunity to create outreach and engagement programs that highlight our iconic setting on the Bodega Marine Reserve, the state-of-the-art facilities of Bodega Marine Lab, and the innovative community of researchers, educators, and mentors at BML and CMSI. Building partnerships in our region and throughout CMSI will increase the impact of our programs and broaden our reach. Ellie’s skills and experience position her to make immediate and transformative contributions to BML and CMSI’s education and outreach programs, and to advance strategic goals that support the mission of these institutions.
About Dr. Fairbairn:
Ellie attended Santa Barbara City College and received her B.A. in Biology from UC Santa Barbara. In 2010 she earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from UC Davis. Her research focused on the impacts of man-made chemical pollution on the embryos of marine invertebrates and fish. Ellie has taught undergraduate courses at UC Davis and Sonoma State University, and she has created education and outreach programs for audiences of adults, K-12 students, and families. Teaching curious students of all ages has become her favorite part of being a scientist.
When Ellie’s not talking about ocean science or poking around in tide pools, you can find her hiking or running on the North Coast, or hanging out with her farm house menagerie (which includes her husband James, their cat Nacho, their dog Penny, their rooster Mr. Speckles, and their seven chickens; don’t tell the other chickens but Mrs. B is her favorite).