Honorary Scholars Hall of Fame

The Department of Biology would like to acknowledge the following individuals who have provided sustained and impactful partnerships in support of instruction, research and/or outreach activities with the Sonoma State University biology program. They have shared their knowledge and expertise with our students and faculty, enhancing the educational experience in biology at SSU. We would like to convey our sincere appreciation to these exemplary individuals by inducting them into our Biology Honorary Scholars Hall of Fame

A former SSU Biology MS recipient, Dave has supported curriculum and research efforts in the Department Biology for more than a decade. Through collaboration with SSU faculty and students, he has contributed significantly to research efforts that have led to multiple graduate student degrees, grant awards, and student peer reviewed publications.  He has also supported numerous SSU graduate and undergraduate students with opportunities that allow immersive training in the field, free access to professional workshops, development of critical networking connections to agency and consultant professionals, and assistance with federal permitting needs for species of special concern. He has served on numerous Thesis committees and has supported students in completing their publication process. In addition, Dave has hosted faculty and students for course field trip experiences. Known as the leading conservation advocate for threatened and endangered amphibians in our local region, he continues to support SSU students in their desire to work towards the preservation of amphibian species.

Jessie has collaborated closely with faculty and students at Sonoma State since 2007. Jessie has been a key contributor in an effective collaboration providing support and dedicated facilities at the zoo for study and conservation of western pond turtles. The conservation program led by Jessie has supported ongoing SSU student researchers with funding, access to critical facilities, and key professional development opportunities. Data generated at Sonoma State and the zoo have facilitated research that produced several graduate student degrees and publications in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, the conservation-oriented collaboration has generated considerable public and media attention leading to numerous news stories highlighting the work of SSU students and faculty in the Department of Biology. The combined efforts of Jessie and SSU faculty and students have led to the reintroduction of this species of special concern into several key sites in northern California. Jessie continues to play a key role as a partner with the Department of Biology in research and scholarship as conservation efforts for the western pond turtle and other threatened species continue to expand across the Bay Area.

Elizabeth has contributed to the educational, professional, and research activities of Sonoma State University students for over 25 years. As a faculty member at Sonoma State University (1995-1997), she developed key curricular innovations in the Department of Biology and mentored SSU student research projects. She also spearheaded the integration of graduate students in a meaningful way into undergraduate instruction in Biology. She assumed a faculty position at Santa Clara University in 1997, but maintained a long-term, externally funded collaboration with SSU faculty and students on the study of mechanisms of temperature adaptation in a montane leaf beetle living in the mountains of eastern California. Elizabeth has served on thesis committees for graduate students over the past 20 years, helped SSU students to pursue advanced study and post-doctoral experience at institutions across the globe, and helped bring in additional collaborators from multiple research institutions to work with our students in the USA and abroad. Through these ongoing efforts, she has provided intellectual guidance and supervision to dozens of Sonoma State University undergraduates and graduate students and developed a partnership between two institutions that are champions of undergraduate education and research success.

Allen has supported curriculum and research efforts in the Department Biology for more than two decades. He has hosted faculty and students at the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, led annual presentations and field trips for courses, teaching the history, research, and techniques associated with Raptor conservation. Through collaboration with SSU faculty and students, he has contributed significantly to research efforts that have led to multiple graduate student degrees and the emergence of the next generation of raptor research scientists. He has also supported SSU students with opportunities that allow immersive training in the field. Known as a leading-edge conservationist and one of the most entertaining and engaging speakers, he has inspired SSU students in their desire to work in the conservation fields.

Dorian has a 20+ year association with graduate and undergraduate research at SSU. These efforts include a long-term status as an adjunct faculty member, serving as Co-Principal Investigator on numerous externally funded research grants with SSU and serving on dozens of graduate thesis committees. As a frequent visiting scientist in residence, he trained and collaborated with both graduate and undergraduate students and facilitated efforts to get SSU Biology students out into the field to do research. These efforts were critical in exposing hundreds of SSU students to field research on wild seals, some of whom have gone on to become faculty and researchers themselves. In his capacity as Research Director at the National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF), Dorian has also been an important mentor to SSU graduate students that perform their thesis research on a managed dolphin population, supporting student research and even recruiting graduate students to the staff at the NMMF. His efforts have resulted in more than 50 peer-reviewed publications in collaboration with faculty and graduate students at SSU.

Dan has volunteered his time and efforts in support of the Department Biology for almost two decades. During that time, he has supported research, curriculum, and training for Sonoma State students. He has led annual field trips to show students actual on-the-ground restoration and mitigation efforts related to fisheries conservation. Through these efforts he has linked students with working professionals in the field and provided students with access to expertise that enhances their understanding of the issues and variety of stakeholder perspectives associated with these efforts. In addition, he has supported student research endeavors and has also supported student training through development and connections to internships with NOAA Fisheries. Through his support, contacts, and innovative thinking, he has provided important opportunities for academic and personal growth as well as employment opportunities for SSU students.