Meet Our New CRC Director, Denice Wardrop!

 

Denice Wardrop began her position as the new Executive Director of the Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) at the start of the new year. As the first executive director that is also a watershed scientist from the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay, she understands the importance of connecting the whole Bay system from the top to the bottom.

Wardrop was attracted to CRC from her involvement in the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). “I wanted to play a more active role between science and restoration,” and she wanted a chance to work more directly with CRC and STAC members.

“Actionable science has a lot of meaning to me. I’m interested in raising the impact factor of what the CRC can do,” Wardrop emphasized. “In the current climate, there is a sense of urgency in science and a lot of stuff is at a pivot point. As a consortium, CRC is in a position to really make an impact.”

Continuing the role that CRC plays in collaborative science is also important. Wardrop’s career as a research scientist and educator has shown her the importance of collaboration. “Every time you put an idea into the most diverse room – nothing bad ever happens. I’ve seen what can be done when you collaborate.”

Wardrop also shared her excitement about being physically closer to the Bay. “I’m excited about being closer to the whole conversation. When you are way at the top of the watershed, you’re aware of what is going on, but you’re not immersed in it and I’m ready to be immersed in it.”