How would you describe yourself as an undergraduate student?

Curious about many things, but not particularly interested in getting to the root of any one subject.

When and how did you discover your passion/interest in marine and environmental affairs?

I think of marine and environmental affairs as a panoply of subjects that happen to overlap in the ocean — e.g., environmental law, marine biology, economics, policy. It’s really been at SMEA that I have appreciated how all of these fields overlap.

Describe your pathway to working in academia. What made you decide to pursue a career as a faculty member?

I was actually surprised to find myself on a faculty, but I’m very glad that I did. I was looking for a way to merge many academic interests, and an interdisciplinary program seemed like just the right home. I came to SMEA because I loved teaching and research across the spectrum of topics that the school covers, and it’s been a great fit.

What do you like most about your work?

Switching the parts of my brain that I get over the course of a day.

What is your favorite form of marine life and why?

Chitons, obviously! They look like they should be fossils, but they are secretly all over the world’s tidepools.

Learn more about Professor Kelly by visiting his faculty page and his research lab site.