Deborah Donovan

Deborah Donovan is a Professor at Western Washington University (WWU), with dual affiliations in the Biology Department and the Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Program. She teaches courses in biology and science pedagogy, mentors student teachers, and leads research initiatives in marine physiology and biology education. Her office is located in BI 310, and she can be reached at donovad@wwu.edu.

Donovan’s academic journey includes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of California, Davis
• Master’s in Ecology, also at UC Davis
• PhD in Zoology from the University of British Columbia (1998), focusing on abalone locomotion energetics

Her education reflects a blend of biological sciences and ecological studies, foundational to her interdisciplinary work.

Her research spans two key areas:

• Marine Biology: Investigates physiological and ecological adaptations of marine invertebrates (e.g., abalone, scallops) to environmental stressors. Current projects restore pinto abalone populations in the Salish Sea while studying impacts of climate change, such as temperature fluctuations and CO₂ levels, on juvenile survival.
• Biology Education: Explores active learning strategies, group permanence in large classes, and curriculum mapping. She co-authored the Life Science & Everyday Thinking textbook (2014) and presented education research globally, including a 2019 conference in Mongolia.

Donovan’s advising includes mentoring graduate students working on abalone restoration and pedagogical methods. While grants are not explicitly stated, her collaborations with organizations like the Puget Sound Restoration Fund and her involvement in Vision and Change initiatives suggest robust external support. She has contributed to multi-institutional projects reshaping science education practices.

Her research is conducted at WWU’s Biology Department and the Shannon Point Marine Center, with fieldwork in the Salish Sea, Great Barrier Reef, and Gulf of California. Partnerships include UBC’s Dr. Tom Carefoot lab, Bamfield Marine Station, and the Mongolian National University of Education.