Mary Ellen A. Newport, Ph.D.

About Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen Newport teaches biology part-time. She retired after 31 years of teaching, the last 13 of which were at Interlochen Arts Academy.

Newport is an evolutionary biologist interested in conservation. Her scientific work looks at the genetic basis for sexual behaviors in flies and pollinators. She started Captina Conservancy to protect an eastern Ohio stream where hellbender salamanders live.

Newport volunteers with the National Park Service to monitor botulism toxicity in migrating waterfowl at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. As a member of the "Bot Squad," she also has a chance to educate the public about the long chain of events triggered by the introduction of invasive species. She is also a volunteer with the Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery project.

A long-time meditator, Newport is curious about the effects of meditation on learning and the brain. She weaves math, science, art, and technology into an inviting sphere for students to experience success and joy in the sciences. She tries sometimes in vain to keep her passion for birdwatching from becoming an obsession.