By Danielle Edelman

At the start of Fall quarter this year, SMEA students were introduced to the newest member of the department’s faculty: Dr. Sunny Jardine. With a BS in Environmental Studies and a PhD in economics, Sunny fits in well with the interdisciplinary community of SMEA.

As with many SMEA students, Sunny’s academic path found focus with a specific topic that piqued her interest, namely deforestation in Costa Rica. This interest led her to obtain a PhD in resource and environmental economics. Her current research includes the study of barrier islands on the East Coast of the U.S., and the costs and benefits of restoring them to protect sensitive marsh habitats. Sunny is also currently researching mangroves and fishery markets.

As a new professor, Sunny faces many challenges and opportunities while adjusting to SMEA. Although a great deal of her time is spent in preparation for her new courses, Sunny is looking forward to future collaborations with students and faculty. Additionally, Sunny is interested in learning more about the environmental issues affecting Seattle and Washington State, as she particularly enjoys focusing her research on topics of local concern. For instance, while at the University of Delaware, she studied the management of the horseshoe crab fishery in that region.

When asked what advice she would give to current and future graduate students, she emphasizes the importance of considering one’s career and lifetime goals when choosing a program and courses. She emphasizes SMEA students’ time in the program is an investment, and that we should choose courses based on what will give us the most return on that investment. Her own desire to pursue research led her to obtain a PhD, and she notes that her academic path could have led to numerous positions in academic and non-academic institutions. Overall, Sunny thinks that one of SMEA’s best qualities is that it is not a “one size fits all” program and it has multiple options to help us achieve our personal and professional goals.

Like many first-year SMEA students, Sunny is new to Seattle and the Puget Sound. She has lived previously in Hawaii, California, and Delaware. Among her favorite things about life in Seattle is her newfound proximity to alpine hiking locations. Her least favorite thing: the lack of nearby surfing locations, as driving several hours and putting on a thick wetsuit has hindered her opportunities to use her new surfboard.

SMEA welcomes Sunny, and we hope she enjoys her new position here.