image: Lora Harris has been awarded the Wilson H. Elkins Endowed Professorship for 2021-2022 by the University System of Maryland for efforts to support diversity in the ocean sciences. view more
Credit: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Dr. Lora Harris, an associate professor at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), has been awarded the Wilson H. Elkins Endowed Professorship for 2021-2022 by the University System of Maryland for efforts to support diversity in the ocean sciences, nationally and here in Maryland.
Harris is an internationally respected estuarine ecologist who is known for her research to support science-based management and restoration of estuarine ecosystems, from nutrient dynamics to oysters and tidal wetlands. She has expanded her ecological research to become a national leader in efforts to diversify STEM fields generally, but the ocean sciences in particular. This work has included taking a leadership role in UMCES efforts to become a more inclusive and diverse institution.
“The financial support from the Elkins Professorship will allow me to bring my efforts at broadening participation home to Maryland,” said Harris. “The timing for this work is just right. Regionally there is growing awareness of the intersecting issues of equity and environmental management.”
For the past decade, Harris has worked to broaden participation in the geosciences through a series of National Science Foundation (NSF) funded initiatives. These initiatives have included development of Centro TORTUGA, an ocean science program in Puerto Rico that seeks to encourage islanders to take up STEM careers. This work has broadened recently with additional NSF support into the SEAS Island Alliance, a collaborative, multi-institutional program that seeks to foster a sense of belonging in ocean sciences for islanders from Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam and other US affiliated islands. This work is establishing support programs that provide mentoring, family programming, professional networking and cohort-building experiences to diversify ocean sciences.
“Island communities are some of the most vulnerable to the effects of changes in climate and natural resources,” said UMCES President Peter Goodwin “Dr. Harris has recognized the critical importance of preparing highly-trained scientific experts that are part of these communities and can help navigate progress toward a thriving, safe and resilient future that sustains the unique island heritage and culture.”
As a member of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Diversity Workgroup, Harris sees the community desire to be involved in the science that is informing management of the Chesapeake. Funding from this professorship will enable Harris to extend the curriculum she has developed to include UMCES and SEAS Islands Alliance students, and regional science community partners.
“Our students are vocal in the urgency of creating actionable and solutions-based science that can benefit society,” said UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Director Thomas Miller. “This is true for UMCES graduate students, as well as the high schoolers, undergraduates, and recent graduates who participate in Centro TORTUGA and the SEAS Islands Alliance.”
The University System of Maryland’s Wilson H. Elkins Professorship supports professors and researchers who demonstrate exemplary ability to inspire students and whose professional work and scholarly endeavors make a positive impact at their universities, the entire system, and beyond. Candidates must possess a solid record of achievement in their academic or professional disciplines; demonstrate a desire and ability to lead and inspire undergraduate and graduate students; show significant achievement beyond their traditional disciplines; and demonstrate ability and intent to pursue scholarly or professional activities beyond the University System of Maryland.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science leads the way toward better management of Maryland's natural resources and the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. From a network of laboratories located across the state, UMCES scientists provide sound evidence and advice to help state and national leaders manage the environment, and prepare future scientists to meet the global challenges of the 21st century.
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