Our Faculty
This program encompasses faculty from three schools at UC Irvine with exceptional strength in areas relevant to the environmental profession, including Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, Earth System Science in the School of Physical Sciences, and Planning, Policy and Design in the School of Social Ecology.
Problem-based research with real-life application is the hallmark of the scholarship carried out by faculty in these departments. This new program deepens our collective commitment to professional development and career growth currently evident in the translational and interdisciplinary research we conduct.
Our partners in the community who participate in our curriculum and programs are leading professionals in a range of organizations addressing pressing environmental management and conservation challenges.
Lyell Buttermore
Lecturer, MCRS
Project Manager, AECOM
Courses: Project Management
Claire Freimark
Lecturer, MCRS
Courses: Quantitative Methods (Fall 2025) and Marine Restoration and Marine Techniques (Winter 2026)
Sarah Kimball
Associate Professor in Residence, MCRS
Assistant Director, CEB
Courses: Ecology and MCRS Capstone
Email: skimball@uci.edu
Website: EEB Faculty profile
Amy King-Henry
Lecturer, MCRS and Director of Marine Research and Partnerships for the Environmental Collaboratory
Course: Quantitative Methods, Marine Conservation, Marine Techniques, Evolution & Conservation, MCRS Capstone
Email: ahenry1@uci.edu
Jennifer Long
Program Director, MCRS
Education Director, The Environmental Collaboratory
Courses: Professional Workshop
Email: jjlong@uci.edu
Sara Ludovise
Lecturer, MCRS
Coordinator for Inside the Outdoors
Courses: Science Communication and Environmental Education & Outreach
Barry Nerhus
Lecturer, MCRS
Founder & Senior Biologist, Endemic Environmental Services, Inc.
Course: Wildlife Ecology and Sampling
Kevin Pao
Lecturer, MCRS
GIS Specialist for Sempra Utilities/SoCal Gas.
Course: GIS For Environmental Research and Conservation and Advanced GIS
Jessica Pratt
Teaching Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology & UC Irvine Minor in Global Sustainability
Courses: Tutorial, Conservation Biology
Email: jdpratt@uci.edu
Website: EEB faculty profile
Jess Rath
Lecturer, MCRS
Environmental Scientist with California State Parks, Director of Farm Unfixed, and Professor at ArtCenter College of Design
Courses: Technical Writing and Co-Management Land Practices
Matt Yurko
Lecturer, MCRS
Program Manager for Project Grow and Professor in Environmental Studies and Ecological Restoration at Saddleback College
Courses: Restoration Ecology, Restoration Techniques, and Human Dimensions in Conservation and Restoration