Please join us in welcoming our new Science Manager, Dr. Katie Thomas, who started full-time with the Western Flyer Foundation on July 10th. Katie will oversee the science and research activities on the Western Flyer.
Dr. Thomas is a marine biologist and visual ecologist with 13 years of experience in shipboard ocean research and science education. She earned a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in Biology from Duke University.
“I became hooked on science early in my career when I was exposed to hands-on learning in marine field courses and aboard research vessels,” said Katie. “I am thrilled to be working with the Western Flyer Foundation to broaden student access to these types of experiences, and especially excited that it’s aboard the historic Western Flyer.”
During her research career, Katie has worked in natural history museums, universities, field stations, and nonprofits and has been on numerous multi-day research cruises and day trips to sample marine environments. She is passionate about science outreach and has engaged with people of all ages via public talks, science fairs, non-specialist courses, K-12 classroom visits, press interviews, and online blogs and outreach. Katie has over a decade of teaching experience engaging with diverse students in classroom, laboratory, and marine field courses, as well as formal training in developing educational materials and courses.
We are excited to welcome Katie to our team as we launch this next exciting chapter, implementing research and education programs on the restored Western Flyer!
