Tarjan, Max

Max Tarjan is a PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She received a Master’s from UCSC and an A.B. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. Max studies patterns of animal movement to learn about habitat use and social interactions. For her dissertation, she is using tracking data and genetics to determine how male sea otters attract females and increase their reproductive success. In addition to conducting research, Max teaches inquiry-based learning activities in undergraduate and high school classes. She has served as an instructor at UCSC and a scientist in residence at Watsonville High School and Pajaro Middle School. Max will use her four years of PDP experience to design a “flipped class” and inquiry-based version of Ecology at UCSC this spring.