Water enthusiast Samantha Murray assumes leadership role in Biodiversity Master's Program, bringing a lifetime of aquatic experience to the position.
New Executive Director Brings Expertise to UC San Diego's MAS MBC Program
Samantha Murray has been appointed as the new executive director of the Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (MAS MBC) program at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Murray, who brings a wealth of experience to the position, has a background that links a legal education with practical field experiences across the West Coast.
Murray's career path includes directing ocean and water programs at renowned organisations such as the Ocean Conservancy, the Audubon Society, and the Oregon Environmental Council. Her expertise spans various areas, including designing and implementing protected areas, oil spill response, and restoration.
In her new role, Murray plans to bolster the MAS MBC program's commitment to diversity and inclusion. She emphasises the need for more marine conservation professionals in the workforce and is optimistic about the future of the MAS MBC program and its students.
Stuart Sandin, a marine ecologist in the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps, was involved in recruiting Murray to Scripps. Murray was drawn to the MAS MBC program's multidisciplinary nature and aims to continue developing it, focusing on its collaborative and innovative aspects.
Murray's office is located footsteps away from the Pacific Ocean on the campus of UCSD. She describes herself as having an "undeniable, inextricable, lifelong connection to water". Murray holds a bachelor's degree in biology and a law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School, where she specialized in environmental law.
Murray has also founded an ocean consulting business where she worked with clients on issues related to water quality and ocean acidification. Her enthusiasm for the MAS MBC program is evident, as she believes that diverse backgrounds and perspectives are essential for robust classroom discussions.
The MAS MBC program is a year-long intensive master's course offered by Scripps to students interested in careers in marine conservation. With Murray at the helm, the program is poised for continued growth and success in its mission to train the next generation of marine conservation leaders.
- Samantha Murray, the new executive director of UC San Diego's MAS MBC program, aims to leverage her expertise in areas such as marine biodiversity, marine conservation, and environmental law to bolster the program's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- With a background in both science (biology) and environmental-law, Murray has founded an ocean consulting business focusing on issues like water quality and ocean acidification, demonstrating a dedication to marine conservation beyond her professional role.
- As Murray beliefs, the MAS MBC program's multidisciplinary nature, which encourages learning from different perspectives, will foster a robust educational environment conducive to personal-growth and the development of future marine conservation leaders.
- In her new position, Murray plans to strengthen the MAS MBC program's impact on environmental-science, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of marine conservation initiatives, thereby addressing critical issues such as ocean acidification and marine conservation.
