Karin is a Practitioner in Residence in the Biology and Environmental Science Department at the University of New Haven. An interdisciplinary scientist and educator, her academic training spans three disciplines including the biological sciences, marine resource management, and environmental education.
Her research explores the social aspects of global climate change and includes understanding the knowledge and perceptions of various stakeholders to these changes in order to understand the vulnerability of socio-ecological systems and resilience. She has been working with coral reef dependent communities in the Caribbean for the past ten years. Her current research includes assessing socioeconomic impacts of climate change on the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico’s coral reef fisheries. Karin is also interested in raising awareness about pollution stressors to our marine environments. Her current research focuses on testing outreach strategies to promote environmentally responsible behaviors to prevent debris from entering coastal waterways.
Karin enjoys teaching science to all audiences in various settings which have included salt marshes on Cape Cod, exhibit halls at the Museum of Natural History in New York, and onboard a tourism vessel in Southeast Alaska. Currently, she is working on developing curriculum for middle school and high school students which focuses on our changing climate and sustainability. At the University of New Haven, Karin teaches courses in the marine affairs, marine biology, and environmental science programs. She is inspired by her students and dedicated to their success in these fields. In her spare time, Karin enjoys reading, gardening, watching wildlife, hiking forested paths, and spending time around salt water. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two sons, two dogs, and a couple of chickens. All of which bring her great joy.