Rebecca Shipe

Rebecca has academic interests and expertise across the fields of biogeochemistry, ecology and sustainability. Trained originally as an oceanographer, her work addressed phytoplankton and how they contribute to global matter budgets. She has conducted studies of natural ocean processes as well as how those processes are affected by anthropogenic inputs, such as sewage or stormwater, into the coastal oceans. In particular, her recent work has focused on harmful algal blooms.  However, she is broadly interested in California ecosystems and is a certified Desert and Chaparral Naturalist.  She has taught large introductory courses in ecology, evolution and genetics, graduate seminars on marine ecology, international field courses and intensive research projects for environmental science students. She runs a transdisciplinary research scholars program for undergraduate scholars doing research in urban sustainability.  Rebecca enjoys getting students excited about and involved in the process of research and hopes that they leave understanding how we can use evidence to improve our human and natural worlds.