Kevin D. Lafferty
I grew up in Southern California, but left as soon as it was legally possible. I’ve been in Santa Barbara since 1981, where I got a bachelor’s degree in aquatic biology, then a master’s degree in zoology, then a PhD. in ecology, then eventually I found a job that would let me stay forever.
I’m lucky to now have a permanent GS-15 research position with the world-renowned US Geological Survey. My main expertise is with parasites. I also work on the conservation of threatened species like snowy plovers, abalone, tidewater gobies, and sea otters. I don’t presently teach any courses, but I do mentor students getting their PhD in ecology at UCSB.
My wife runs a nature reserve a couple miles from the UCSB campus where I work at the Marine Science Institute. We also run our own 160 acre nature reserve in the Santa Ynez Mountains. Our two daughters keep us busy.
I get to travel to some amazing places and SCUBA dive when I work. For fun, I surf near campus and during my travels.
Name: Kevin Lafferty
Education: UCSB
Marine Biologist
On my iPod: Samba (Beth Carvalho) Bossa (Elis Regina), Hillbilly (Hank Williams), Country (Dwight Yoakam), Rock (Rage Against the Machine), Funk (James Brown), Roots (Asylum Street Spankers), Jazz (Jelly Roll Morton).
Travel Destination: Mexico, Brazil, South Pacific, Africa.
Quiver: 9’6 long board, 6’3 thruster, 7’6 gun, 6’1 woodfish
Lafferty @ lifesci.ucsb.edu
Something about me.
