Bachelor of Science - 1985 - Zoology and Physiology
After completing her undergraduate degree at UW, Laramie native Gretchen Hofmann went on to earn a Ph.D. at the University of Colorado at Boulder. A professor of marine biology at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Hofmann studies global change biology and is a recognized faculty expert in the area of ocean acidification and its effects on marine invertebrates, especially the echinoderms such as urchins and corals.
Hofmann mentors young scientists, and her lab is an exciting place where students and postdoctoral fellows investigate the biological consequences of ocean change. In addition to contributing to scientific journals, conferences, and focus groups, Hofmann spearheaded a Website on ocean acidification for science educators and supported curriculum highlighting climate change data. Also, she performed a service for the United States federal government with contributions to reports such as the 2013 National Climate Assessment.