Biography
Dr. Lisa Walsh
AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow
Division Environmental Biology
Directorate for Biological Sciences
Class of 2024-2026
Dr. Lisa Walsh is an evolutionary ecologist and biology education researcher interested in understanding human-wildlife interactions and improving recruitment, retention and career development in the sciences. After receiving a bachelor's degree in biology and environmental studies at Bowdoin College in Maine, Walsh attended the University of Michigan to research the range expansion of the Virginia opossum, receiving her master's and doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology. Her experiences interacting with museum audiences and teaching undergraduate students instilled a passion for teaching and an interest in discipline-based education research. As a U.S. Department of Agriculture postdoctoral fellow, she developed education research skills by evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on STEM education and investigating gaps in career preparation facing colleges of agriculture. Lisa joins the NSF as part of the 2024-2025 American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow cohort, serving as the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences/Directorate for Geosciences science fellow in inclusion and advancement. With an array of field work experiences on behalf of state agencies, nonprofits and higher education institutions that focused on invasive plant species, aquatic invertebrates and their habitats, coral reefs and marine and terrestrial mammals, Walsh is excited to combine her experience as a biologist with her expertise in evaluation and assessment to improve access and safety in the sciences.