The California Academy of Sciences has named MBARI Senior Scientist Kelly Benoit-Bird a 2026 Fellow, recognizing her contributions to the field of marine ecology.

Academy Fellows are distinguished scientists who have made significant contributions to science, education, and communication. Nominated and appointed by the Academy’s Board of Trustees, this fellowship honors individuals working to advance the Academy’s mission to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Benoit-Bird’s work is answering fundamental questions about how animals interact with their environment and with one another in dynamic ocean environments. Her research with MBARI’s Acoustical Ocean Ecology Team is revealing the important role the daily migrations of marine life play in ocean food webs and ecosystem processes. She is passionate about advancing ocean science through technological innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement, fostering a deeper appreciation of the importance of marine ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.

Benoit-Bird was one of 15 new Academy Fellows inducted during the Annual Fellows Gathering at the Academy’s museum and research facilities in San Francisco, California, on October 6. She is the third MBARI researcher to receive this honor, joining Senior Scientist Bruce Robison and Senior Scientist Emeritus David Clague, who were named Academy Fellows in 1991 and 2000, respectively.

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