Rate My Professor Jennifer Burnaford

Jennifer Burnaford is a Professor of Biological Science at California State University, Fullerton, specializing in Biology with a focus on marine community ecology. She holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Oregon State University and a B.A. in Biology from Dartmouth College. Burnaford joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in spring 2009 and has since progressed to full Professor. Her research examines species interactions and the influence of abiotic factors on species distributions, particularly in marine intertidal communities. The Burnaford Lab studies the impacts of low tide emersion conditions, including temperature, UV radiation, and desiccation stress, on organisms such as native and introduced oysters, chitons, seastars, and kelps in rocky intertidal zones. Additional investigations explore how introduced species alter community structure in both rocky and sandy habitats. As Co-Director of the Southern California Ecosystems Research Program, she oversees student research in ecosystem studies.

Burnaford teaches undergraduate courses in Evolution & Biodiversity, Phycology, and Coastal Ecology. Her contributions to teaching and student success were recognized with the Outstanding Contributions to Student Success award for the 2019-2020 academic year from the Department of Biological Science, as well as the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Outstanding Faculty Award. Key publications authored or co-authored by her include: Miner et al. (2018), "Large-scale impacts of sea star wasting disease (SSWD) on intertidal sea stars and implications for recovery," PLOS ONE; Murray et al. (2016), "Evaluating ecological states of rocky intertidal communities: a best professional judgment exercise," Ecological Indicators; Burnaford et al. (2014), "Celestial mechanics affects emersion time and cover patterns of an ecosystem engineer, the intertidal kelp Saccharina sessilis," Marine Ecology Progress Series; Burnaford et al. (2011), "Assemblage shift following population collapse of a non-indigenous bivalve in an urban lagoon," Marine Biology; and Burnaford (2004), "Habitat modification and refuge from sublethal stress drive a marine plant-herbivore association," Ecology. Her scholarly work has received over 3,775 citations on Google Scholar, underscoring her impact in the field of marine ecology.