Dr. Rebecca Vega Thurber, MSI director
MSI Community,
As the new Director of the Marine Science Institute (MSI) at UC Santa Barbara, I am honored and tremendously excited to help advance our world class research, renowned education program, and impactful outreach mission that together, positively influence our Oceans, coasts, lakes, waterways, urban and rural areas. Yes, we face great challenges, none more so than climate change’s long reach on every habitat we work in. As a microbial ecologist and coral reef scientist, I have seen first-hand, the terrible effects of increasing temperatures and habitat destruction on coral reefs around the world. I have had moments of great despair, but each was followed by intense resolve. Resolve that if we work together, we can help prevent future declines through the generation of creative solutions and the training of the future generation of marine scientists.
The Ocean, its bounty and its beauty, fascinates scientists, inspires artists, and enthralls the public. Its mysteries continue to lead to new innovations that advance our societies technologically and increase human wellbeing. Communities across the globe rely on the Ocean’s plenty for food, recreation, and spiritual fulfillment. As part of the Santa Barbara community, as Californians, Americans, and Earth’s inhabitants, we owe so much to the Global Ocean. At MSI, we aim to delve deeper, swim farther, and discover more about how the seas and its creatures function, how they work together symbiotically, and how they impact Earth’s processes and dynamics. We explore how humans are increasingly impacting all the Ocean’s habitats, from the tropics to the poles, from our sand dunes to the kelp forest, and to the abyss. Importantly, we also work to solve the myriad issues the Oceans now face.
Global change is moving at a pace that demands we invest more, that we be relentless in our efforts, modernize, be entrepreneurial, and work across the silos of academia, government, non-profits, and the public. We must continue to build trust by conducting ethical, diverse, and meaningful work that engages and works alongside all communities and community members, no matter their backgrounds, identities, or lived experiences. MSI has great capacity, intellect, immense fortitude, and a growing diverse community that is mutually supportive. We must continue in our pursuits to better study, train, mentor, discover, solve, and communicate. With continued support I know that we can be highly successful and impact real change that broadly benefits our societies, cultures, and economies.
The creativity and commitment of our marine research community gives me great hope for our future. I remain positive and committed as the new MSI Director. I look forward to meeting and working with you all to envision and enact new creative science and innovation, train the next generation of marine scientists, and contribute to the betterment of our Coasts, Oceans, and Planet Earth.
Dr. Rebecca ‘Becky’ Vega Thurber (she/her)
