Tracy Fanara
Scientist, Engineer, Explorer, and TV Host Working to Solve Environmental Challenges
As seen on
Science Channel’s Mythbusters and What On Earth?, National Geographic’s SharkFest solving mysteries of shark bites, Weather Channel’s Weird Earth, FOX Weather or CBS; in Marvels Unstoppable Wasp, or as Xylem YSI’s Mission Water, Water Hero.
ABOUT
Dr. Tracy Fanara is an environmental engineer, research scientist, stormchaser and television host with a BS, ME, and PhD from the University of Florida’s College of Environmental Engineering. With an unorthodox approach to investigation, Tracy solves the problems no one else can by doing things no one else does. Tracy has a versatile background from trapping and saving alligators, tagging sharks, and mapping the ocean floor, to designing water systems all over the world, developing water treatment technology for earth and space, and designing community science programs and apps to obtain environmental data to solve scientific mysteries. Tracy has international media recognition due to her expertise in hydrology and harmful algae blooms during the Florida Water crises. Tracy is now a scientist at the Nation’s Environmental Intelligence Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) where she works to understand earth systems and provide information needed to protect human lives and livelihoods from threats in a changing world. Tracy co-produces a STEM comic book called “Seekers of Science” and runs the STEM Summer Camp, Mission: Tampa Bay. You may have seen Tracy on Science Channel’s Mythbusters and What On Earth?, National Geographic’s SharkFest solving mysteries of shark bites, Weather Channel’s Weird Earth, FOX Weather or CBS; in Marvels Unstoppable Wasp, or as Xylem YSI’s Mission Water, Water Hero. Tracy is on a mission to share career journey and love for science and environment with students throughout the country.
AVAILABLE TALKS
Saving the World: 101
Many of us leave college passionate, ready to save the world! Unfortunately, whatever version of "saving the world" one may envision, it usually proves to be harder than it sounds, and it certainly was for me. My struggle to change the world is still an ongoing one, but from chasing storms to chasing answers, I'm finding that "saving the world" takes strategy, patience, and perseverance more than it does passion. In this talk, I will share the epiphanies, highlights, and darkest moments of my journey, how I overcame failures, and some advice on how to achieve big wins throughout your mission and career. No one leaves this life without making an impact; it's a responsibility we cannot avoid, so let's maximize your impact and create the world you want to see!
Career as a Journey
From a young age we are asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?" My sister wanted to be a snowman and live in Florida, but I was much more practical. From a young age I felt that I needed goals and to stick to them to be successful. I achieved my college goal and landed a job as an engineer; but my experience in engineering changed everything for me. I saw a water crisis that would (and in fact, did) materialize years later. For the first time in my life, I embarked down an unpaved path and I didn't know where it would lead. I've learned to take on the "uncomfortable", obstacles, and even some battles. It wasn't easy, but it's been worth it. This talk will take the audience through the path of most resistance, leaving them inspired to create the world they want to see.
Reimagining the Possible
So many of us become slaves to the known, accept things as they are, limiting ourselves to what we know to be possible. This talk will take the audience on a journey through the evolution of the wheel from first use to space travel, using the successes and failures of great inventors that saw the world differently and dared to make their dreams a reality.
testimonials
“I can't say enough about how impressed I was with Tracy…”
– Carly Wood, Coordinator of Youth Educational Outreach - Penn State York