| P. Dee Boersma, Ph.D. Wadsworth Endowed Chair in Conservation Science
Professor |
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Brief Biography
Professor
Boersma's academic research is in the area of conservation biology and has
focused on seabirds as indicators of environmental change.
Dr. Boersma was recently appointed to the Wadsworth Endowed Chair in Conservation Science in the University of Washington's department of Biology. She has been at the University of Washington since 1974, initially as professor of Zoology and then as professor of Biology following the merger of the Zoology, Biology and Botany departments. She is currently Acting Chair of the Biology department, as well as an adjunct faculty member in the Women Studies department.
Since 1982, she has directed the Magellanic Penguin Project at Punta Tombo, Argentina, in her role as a scientific fellow for the Wildlife Conservation Society. Over the past 23 years, she has carried out research on Magellanic penguins in the South Atlantic, assessing their biological characteristics and the effects of human perturbations and policy changes on their survival.
Dee has also been enlisted to take on numerous national and international leadership and advisory positions in such diverse roles as member of the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University, as an advisor to the United States Delegation to the United Nations World Population Conference in Romania, as a member of President Nixon's Task Force of Women's Rights and Responsibilities, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Zero Population Growth. In addition, Professor Boersma was associate director of the Institute for Environmental Studies from 1987-1993. Download an up to date full-length CV here.
Education
- Honorary Doctorate, 2003, Central Michigan University, Michigan
- Ph.D. Zoology, 1974, Ohio State University, Ohio
- B.Sc.(Honors) Biology, 1969, Central Michigan University, Michigan
Selected Publications
Boersma, P.D. 1999. Tuxedo Junction. Wildlife Conservation 102(2):26.
Boersma, P.D. and J.K. Parrish. 1998. Flexible growth rates in fork-tailed storm-petrels: A response to environmental variability. The Auk 115(1):67.
Boersma, P.D. 1998. Plight of the Penguins. Wildlife Conservation 101(1):20.
Boersma, P.D. 1998. Population trends of the Galapagos penguin: Impacts of El Nino and La Nina. The Condor 100(2):245.
Hood, L.C., P.D. Boersma and J.C. Wingfield. 1998. The adrenocortical response to stress in incubating Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus Magellanicus). The Auk 115(1):76.
Meffe, G.K., P.D. Boersma and D.M. Waller. 1998. Independent scientific review in natural resource management. Conservation Biology 12(2):268.
Stokes, D.L. and P.D. Boersma. 1998. Nest-Site characteristics and reproductive success in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus Magellanicus). The Auk 115(1):34.
Yorio, P., P.D. Boersma and S. Swann. 1996. Breeding biology of the Dolphin Gull at Punta Tombo, Argentia. The Condor 98(2):208.
Boersma, P.D. P. Yorio and E. Frere. 1995. Close encounters in Chubut. America s 47(3):26.
Gandini, P., P.D. Boersma, E. Frere, M. Gandini, T. Holik and V. Lichtschein. 1994. Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) are affected by chronic petroleum pollution along the coast of Chubut, Argentina. Auk 111:20-27.
Boersma, P.D. 1986. Seabirds reflect petroleum pollution. Science 231:373-376.
Boersma, P.D. 1978. Galapagos penguins as indicators of oceanographic conditions. Science 200:1481-1483.
Awards/Honors
Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation, Fellow, 1997
University of Otago, New Zealand, William Evans Visiting Fellow, 1995
American Ornithologists' Union, Fellow, 1994
University of Washington, Dean's Achievement award, 1994
Central Michigan University, Outstanding Centennial Alumni Award, 1993
Matrix Table, Women of Achievement Award, 1993
Outside magazine, Top 10 Outsiders of the Year Award, 1987
Kellogg Foundation, National Leadership Fellowship, 1982-1985
Leadership
Society for Conservation Biology, Board of Governors, 1991-current,
President, 1997-1999
Disney's Wild Animal Kingdom, Advisory Board, 1994-present
AAZPA, Penguin Taxon Advisory Group, Scientific Advisor, 1992-present
Peregrine Fund, Board of Directors, 1995-1998
Washington Nature Conservancy, Board of Directors, 1997-1998
Bullitt Foundation, Board of Directors, 1997-1998
Pacific Seabird Group, Regional Representative, 1981-1985
Department of the Interior, Endangered Species Subcommittee, Chair, 1979-1983
Central Michigan University, Board of Trustees
Zero Population Growth, Board of Directors