Richelle Tanner

Dr. Richelle Tanner is an Assistant Professor at Chapman University, jointly appointed between Schmid College of Science and Technology and Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She serves as Co-Director for the Environmental Science and Policy program and Science Director for the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation.

• Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley
• B.S. and B.Mus. from University of Southern California

Her research focuses on climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems, with expertise in:

• Ecological physiology and genomics
• Invasive species management (particularly Phragmites australis)
• Values-driven science communication
• Eelgrass restoration under climate extremes

Recent publications analyze:

• Invasion dynamics in brackish marshes
• Machine learning vegetation mapping
• Climate stress responses in marine invertebrates
• Stakeholder-driven conservation strategies

She leads the SeaCR research lab (www.seacrlab.com) and has received funding from NSF and California Sea Grant. Current projects include remote sensing of invasive species and development of science communication frameworks for the California Delta.