Kate Mansfield, Ph.D, - Associate Professor and Director

Meet Dr. Kate Mansfield, an Associate Professor and Director of the Marine Turtle Research Group at the University of Central Florida. 

Dr. Mansfield’s research program focuses on sea turtle biology, ecology, behavior, and conservation across all sea turtle life stages—from eggs to adults. Her lab provides field-based educational and research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, and scientific advisory service to local, state, and international science and management entities. 

Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in biology and philosophy from Mount Holyoke College, a Master of Arts in marine affairs and policy from the University of Miami, and a Doctoral Degree in marine science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. After completing her Ph.D. she moved to Florida where she held postdoctoral and research scientist positions at the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Florida International University, and NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center as a National Academies NRC postdoctoral fellow. She has worked with sea turtles since 1994, including more than 15 years of nesting beach experience and over 20 years of in-water sea turtle handling and tagging experience using satellite, radio and acoustic telemetry to track all life stages of sea turtles. Kate's research and field sites include long-term monitoring of nesting beach and coastal juvenile sea turtle habitats in central Florida, and oceanic “lost years” satellite tracking work in the Gulf of Mexico, North and South Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

Why is diversity in STEM important?

To me, science is a creative process and some of the most successful scientists are also the most creative thinkers. We need a diversity of perspectives to really fuel scientific progress. In my field, for decades it was assumed that little sea turtles behaved in a certain way during their first years at sea. It was also assumed that technology wasn't available to track baby turtle movements. It took the help of a manicurist to enable a colleague (Dr. Jeanette Wyneken at Florida Atlantic University) and I to successfully attach little transmitters to satellite track the very first baby sea turtles in the open ocean. With the use of nail acrylic and a pedicure inspiration/"aha" moment, we have since been able to fill glaring data gaps in our knowledge of early sea turtle life history. We a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds to ensure success in any scientific field.

What is your professional or personal mantra?

I have two: 1)It can't hurt to ask and 2) Try/Do.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

I used to think my greatest accomplishment was earning a Ph.D. Then, I thought it was publishing my first paper. Now, I think it is earning tenure and developing a well-funded research program that tries to provide hands-on field experience to the next generation of biologists.

What advice would you give to youth interested in your career field?

Involve yourself in experience opportunities -- learn new skills, build relationships with mentors and peers, and learn to write well. Writing is an incredibly important skill to develop in STEM fields since our success is built on our ability to communicate to and convince others to fund us (grant-writing) or for us to get our science out there to the public through publications and outreach.

Follow her lab on social media:

Instagram and Twitter: @UCFTurtleLab

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucfmtrg