Dr. Kimberly Warner receives inaugural UMCES Distinguished Alumni Award

BALTIMORE, MD - The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) has named Dr. Kimberly Warner (’99) the recipient of its inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Warner exemplifies the important work of UMCES scientists across the country — scientists who work to protect human health and well-being through science-informed solutions.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this award among all the distinguished alumna from the UMCES community. I am grateful to the students and faculty who nurtured and educated me during my graduate studies and who were fundamental to my career post-graduation,” Dr. Warner said. “I thank UMCES for the valuable interdisciplinary training and exposure to the philosophy of science and ethics that prepared me well for a successful science career.”

Since graduating from Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in 1999, Dr. Warner has become a preeminent ecotoxicologist. The bulk of her career (since 2005) has been spent at Oceana, where she serves as a Senior Scientist. During this time, she has spearheaded numerous successful campaigns, including:

• Mercury Pollution: Dr. Warner led a scientific effort that transitioned chlorine production in the United States away from a mercury-intensive method, resulting in a considerable reduction of mercury pollution in the environment.
• Seafood Fraud: Dr. Warner led the science on a transparency campaign based on “seafood fraud,” using DNA testing and citizen science to identify mislabeled fish. Through this effort, she documented rampant mislabeling of fish (i.e. low-priced tilapia labeled as high-priced red snapper), a feat that directly informed the creation of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP).
• Marine Plastics Pollution: Dr. Warner has worked tirelessly to document the impact of marine plastics on endangered species and human health. She serves on an international committee that works on sustainable reuse systems.

“I am proud to recognize an alumna whose career so perfectly embodies the mission of UMCES,” said Bill Dennison, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs at UMCES. “Her work has not only advanced scientific understanding but has fundamentally shifted national and global policies to protect our oceans and public health.”

Dr. Warner was presented with the award at this year’s Commencement ceremony on May 29th at the Institute for Marine and Environmental Technology in Baltimore, MD.