Rate My Professor Tracey Brown

Tracey Brown is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at California State University, San Marcos, where she joined the faculty in 2002. She has served as chair of the Department of Biology and currently serves as Director of the Wildfire Science & Urban Interface Program. Brown co-developed CSUSM's bachelor's degree program in Wildfire Science and the Urban Interface, contributing to education in fire management and urban ecology. She redesigned Biology 338, Human Impact on the Environment, to incorporate sustainability themes and connect students with campus living lab initiatives. As affiliated faculty in the Environmental Studies program and Pre-Health Professions Certificate, she supports interdisciplinary efforts.

Brown's research specializations encompass conservation ecology and ecophysiology of vertebrates, focusing on native reptiles. Her projects address physiological ecology, habitat use, survivorship, and management of reptiles in urbanized and disturbed habitats. A notable publication is 'Spatial ecology, habitat use, and survivorship of resident and transient red diamond rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus ruber) in a highly urbanized landscape' (2016). She mentors undergraduates through the Center for Training, Research, and Educational Excellence and has obtained grants including a $20,000 award in 2015 for 'Raising a Mixed-Use Greenhouse: Connecting Students, Facilities, Courses and Research.' For over a decade, she has been co-principal investigator on CSUSM's NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program, aiding underrepresented transfer students in biomedical research. Brown co-directs the BEARS-ESTEEMED program, providing paid bioengineering research to first-year students to boost diversity in the biomedical workforce. Recognized as a Leader of Influence in Life Sciences by the San Diego Business Journal, her work promotes enthusiastic teaching, student research opportunities, and solutions to environmental challenges.