Kate Boersma is an assistant professor at the University of San Diego and aquatic ecologist working in aridland streams. Her research examines aquatic insect adaptations to drought and their effects on aquatic community structure. She also develops quantitative methods to analyze functional trait information and applies these methods to understand the impacts of disturbances on biological communities. Boersma believes that human diversity is an essential part of the scientific process and works to increase the representation of women and underrepresented groups in the biological sciences.