Sara McDonald

Sara McDonald, PhD, serves as the Director of Conservation at the South Carolina Aquarium since January 2022, leading community-based conservation efforts to enhance resilience against climate change, reduce plastic pollution, and advocate for sustainable seafood. Concurrently, Sara is a Visiting Scholar at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, focusing on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, while supervising master's students and engaging in educational activities. Prior experience includes roles as Senior Fisheries Scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch, and serving as a Doctoral Candidate at Duke University, where a dissertation on marine mammal conservation was completed. With a solid foundation in marine research and conservation, Sara has held various positions in both state and federal agencies, contributing significantly to marine mammal research and management. Educational credentials include a PhD in Marine Science and Conservation Policy, an M.S. in Marine Biology, and a B.S. in Zoology.