JACKIE E. SHAY

JACKIE E. SHAY is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her work bridges pedagogical innovation with ecological research, emphasizing joy-centered learning and collaborative approaches to STEM education. She previously served as Associate Director for the Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning at UC Merced, focusing on inclusive STEM course design.

Shay holds a master's degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from San Francisco State University, where she studied fungal evolution in Madagascar, and a Ph.D. in Quantitative and Systems Biology from UC Merced, exploring monkeyflower microbiomes under advisors Sexton and Frank. Her research spans microbial ecology, plant-microbe symbiosis, and climate resilience in biological systems.

Her teaching portfolio includes courses on introductory biology, fungal biology, and pedagogy, with a focus on fostering student agency through course-based research experiences. Shay's interdisciplinary approach integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to study how collaborative learning environments enhance educational outcomes.

Her lab and outreach efforts include the blog ShayShrooms, documenting fieldwork in Madagascar, and ongoing investigations into microbial community dynamics in response to environmental stressors. Current projects explore symbiotic relationships between plants and microbes, with implications for conservation biology and climate adaptation strategies.