Director's Welcome
Welcome to SF State's Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, the University's field station on the bay.
We are located on the Tiburon Peninsula on a site with a long history of marine activity. RTC faculty, working together with students and staff members, conduct focused scientific research that addresses societal needs. Our research programs are structured to maximize the active participation of both SF State undergraduate and graduate students.
SF State’s College of Science & Engineering recruits and retains outstanding research scientists to the faculty, and faculty based at RTC are highly respected in their fields. RTC faculty span five academic departments (Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Geography and Human Environmental Studies, Physics and Geosciences). From research on climate change, harmful algal blooms, invasive species, to restoration of coastal habitats such as saltmarshes and eelgrass beds, and monitoring spill response and predicting movement of marine debris in SF bay and the coastal ocean, RTC’s science has local, regional, national and global implications.
Research faculty committed to education, facilities and a location that promotes hands-on learning come together to create an intellectual environment that attracts excellent students. Both undergraduate and graduate students are highly awarded; they routinely receive distinguished scholars’ awards and prestigious, highly competitive scholarships. Many go on to PhD programs and almost all remain in the marine science field, whether in academia, agency positions or the private sector.
In addition to our research and educational roles, RTC is an active member of the community. We share the Center's resources with SF State faculty and students from a wide range of academic disciplines, and provide educational outreach to community members.
Please explore RTC through this website. In addition, I encourage you to discover RTC for yourself in October when we host Discovery Day, our annual open house. At Discovery Day we invite the community to experience our campus and learn about the work conducted by faculty, staff and students. Or visit us to attend one of our research seminars. I hope you will become as excited about RTC as we are.
-Toby Garfield
Director
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