Congratulations to FHL Director Billie J. Swalla!
Dr. Lisa Graumlich, Dean of the College of the Environment, was on hand to congratulate Billie on her directorship.
On Friday August 22nd, colleagues, staff, friends, and community members joined together to offer their congratulations to Professor Billie J. Swalla, the newly appointed director of Friday Harbor Laboratories.
Over the past 18 months, Billie has served as Acting Director and Interim Director. Her appointment as Director was announced in July 2014.
Billie brings with her 30 years of experience doing research and teaching at marine labs around the world, from tropical to temperate settings, and is passionate about marine sciences. Her research is interdisciplinary, focusing on genomics, evolution, and development of marine invertebrates. She studies developmental gene networks and how they evolve in animals to elaborate different body plans.
Colin Hermans demonstrated the FHL Director's plastic-pelican flag bag which he presented to Billie for use during hair-raising directorial moments.
Billie has been an active member of the Labs community for the past 15 years. In addition to serving in a directing capacity, she has taught Comparative Invertebrate Embryology, Evolution & Development of Animals, and several undergraduate research apprenticeships.
The August celebration included congratulations from Dean Lisa Graumlich, along with a multitude of well-wishes from colleagues near and far!
