Marissa Bills joins California Sea Grant Extension Team

California Sea Grant welcomes Marissa Bills as a new Staff Research Associate for the Extension Team. Marissa will be based in Santa Barbara where she contributes to projects focused on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. 

Marissa has a background in shellfish aquaculture, ecology and fisheries. She is passionate about integrating community outreach and education into her research projects as well as undergraduate mentorship. Currently, Marissa is finishing her Master's degree in biology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She completed her Bachelor's degree in ecology, evolution and marine biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

Previously, Marissa was a California Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellow studying the population dynamics and spatial ecology of Pismo clams (Tivela stultorum). This iconic California native species supported a commercial fishery through the mid-20th century and continued to be harvested by recreational fishers until the 1980s when populations declined. Recently, Pismo clam populations have started to increase again along the central coast of California. 

When not working, Marissa enjoys spending time outside hiking, backpacking and gardening.