Dr. Kathryn Sobocinski is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and the Marine and Coastal Science program at Western Washington University. She is an applied marine ecologist focusing on fishes, fish habitats, and impacts of human disturbance and climate change in coastal ecosystems. She uses statistical, ecological, and individual-based models in conjunction with field data to describe patterns and processes in these ecosystems. Her studies have largely focused on juvenile fishes in coastal marine environments and have included food web ecology, identifying characteristics of nursery habitats, fisheries oceanography, describing patterns of distribution based on environmental factors, ecosystem modeling related to rising temperatures in shallow-water ecosystems, and socio-environmental systems research.

Research Interests
Skagit-specific research interests

• Salmon habitat restoration and restoration effectiveness in the Whidbey Basin

• Development and implementation of Cumulative Effects analysis

• Residence time and life-history of salmon using otolith microchemistry

Other research interests

• Urban seas as hotspots of change

• Salmon marine ecology

• Forage fish ecology

Education and Credentials

• PhD, The College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 2014

• MS, University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, 2003

• BA, Connecticut College, 1998

Affiliations and Professional Service

• Skagit Climate Science Consortium

• Northwest Straits Commission Science Advisory Committee

• Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation

• Pacific Estuarine Research Society

• American Fisheries Society

• American Academy of Underwater Scientists

Contact
Email: sobocik@wwu.edu

Additional Information

To learn more about Dr. Sobocinski and her work and publications, visit her WWU lab webpage.