Faculty Profiles

Colleges and Departments

Dr. Paula S Williamson

  • University Distinguished Professor at Biology, College of Science & Engineering

Service Activities

Ongoing

  • Member, Faculty Development Advisory Committee. 2018 - Present.
  • Co-Sponsor, Alpha Chi National Honor Society. 2010 - Present.
  • Member, CoSE Associate Dean for Research Search Committee. 2025 - Present.
  • Co-Chair, CoSE 60th Anniversary Planning Committee. 2025 - Present.
  • Co-Chair, Mentoring Committee for Carrie Jo Bucklin. 2023 - Present.
  • Co-Chair, CoSE Postdoctoral Working Group. 2023 - Present.
  • Member, Honors Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 2010 - Present.
  • Member, Personnel Committee. 1994 - Present.
  • Member, Board of Governors, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1991 - Present.

2025

  • Member, Faculty Development Mid-career Subcommittee. 2024 - 2025.
  • Member, Faculty Development Postdoctoral Scholar Subcommittee. 2024 - 2025.
  • Member, Semiconductor Search Committee. 2024 - 2025.
  • Chair, Biology Chair Search Committee. May 2024 - 2025.

2024

  • Member, Meadows Endowed Professor in Aquatic Resources. 2023 - 2024.
  • Member, Biology Chair Search Committee. 2023 - 2024.
  • Member, Excelencia in Education Leadership Institute: Faculty Development to Intentionally SERV Latino Students. October 2023 - October 2024.

2023

  • Member, University Performing Arts Committee. 2020 - 2023.
  • Chair, Wildlife Ecology Search Committee. 2023.
  • Member, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Research in the Graduate College Search Committee. 2023.
  • Member, Meadows Endowed Professor in Ecohydrology Search Committee. 2022 - 2023.
  • Member, Bruce and Gloria Ingram Chair in Engineering Search Committee. 2022 - 2023.
  • Director, College of Science and Engineering ASPIRE Undergraduate Research Program. 2022 - 2023.
  • Member, Faculty Development Mid-career Subcommitte. 2019 - 2023.
  • Poster Judge, Graduate Student Research Conference Judge. April 2023.

2022

  • Member, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Leavenworthia texana Species Status Assessment working group. 2020 - 2022.
  • Member, Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities Committee. 2016 - 2022.
  • Member, Wildlife Biology Senior Lecturer Search Committee. 2022.
  • Organizer, ArcGIS Field Maps Workshop. 2022.
  • Member, Jacobs Advisory Committee. 2019 - 2022.
  • Member, Council of Funded Research. 2018 - 2022.
  • Member, Lecturer / Senior Lecturer Evaluation PC Subcommittee. 2015 - 2022.

2021

  • Member, Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Development Task Force. June 2019 - March 2021.
  • Chair, Director IDEA Center Search Committee. 2021.
  • Member, Sarah Fritts Mentoring Committee. 2018 - 2021.
  • Member, Assistant Dean of The Graduate College Search Committee. January 2021.

2020

  • Member, Visualizing Research Award Selection Committee. 2020.
  • Member, Continuity of Research Work Group. 2020.
  • Member, Faculty Development Subcommittee: Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program Nominee Review. 2020.
  • President, Region I, Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. 2018 - 2020.

2019

  • Member, Graduate College Outstanding Dissertation Award Committee. 2019.
  • Member, Aquatic/Wetland Plant Ecology Search Committee. 2018 - 2019.

2018

  • Member, Presidential Award for Excellence in Service Committee. 2017 - 2018.
  • Member, Alkek Online Resource Grants Selection Committee. 2016 - 2018.
  • Co-Chair, Local Host Committee for 2018 Southwestern Association of Naturalists annual meeting. 2016 - 2018.
  • Vice President, Region I, Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. 2016 - 2018.
  • Member, Library Committee. 2015 - 2018.

2016

  • Member, Ingram Endowed Chair in Engineering Search Committee. 2015 - 2016.
  • Reviewer / Referee, Alpha Chi Honor Society Region I student scholarships. 2014 - 2016.

2015

  • Chair, Biology Education Search Committee. 2014 - 2015.
  • Departmental Liaison, Faculty Senate. 2014 - 2015.

2014

  • Judge, Alpha Chi Honor Society National Convention student presentation awards. 2014.
  • Member, Institutional Effectiveness Council. 2013 - 2014.
  • Member, Stream Ecologist Search Committee. 2013 - 2014.
  • Member, Executive Committee, Conference of Southern Graduate Schools. 2011 - 2014.
  • Member, Legal Studies Advisory Board. 2008 - 2014.
  • Member, Extended & Distance Learning Steering Committee. 2006 - 2014.
  • Co-Advisor, Associated Student Government Graduate House. 2005 - 2014.

2013

  • Member, Hispanic-Serving Institution Research Symposium Planning Committee. 2013.
  • Reviewer / Referee, Texas Academy of Science student research grants. 2013.
  • Member, Executive Research Plan Committee. 2012 - 2013.
  • Member, Committee to Review Presidential Faculty Research Leaves. 2008 - 2013.
  • Program Director, Texas State Summer Predoctoral Fellowship Program. 2008 - 2013.

2012

  • Member, Task Force on Recruiting Texas State Email Account Owners as Research or Class Project Participants. 2012.
  • Chair, Audit Committee, Conference of Southern Graduate Schools. 2009 - 2012.
  • Member, Audit Committee, Conference of Southern Graduate Schools. 2008 - 2012.

2011

  • Member, Wilks Award Selection Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 2011.

2010

  • Member, Texas State Public Relations Strategic Task Force. 2010.
  • Reviewer / Referee, Consultant to serve as external program reviewer of Biology graduate and undergraduate programs at Northeastern Illinois University. 2010.
  • Leader, Leader for Table Top Session on “Vireo-Electronic Thesis Dissertation Submission”, Association of Texas Graduate Schools annual meeting. 2010.
  • Member, SACS Quality Enhancement Plan Task Force. 2008 - 2010.

2009

  • Member, University of Texas-Pan American Faculty Excellence Award Selection Committee. 2009.
  • Leader, Leader for Table Top Session on “Pathways to Diversity”, Conference of Southern Graduate Schools annual meeting. 2009.
  • Member, Navasota ladies’-tresses Recovery Team. 2003 - 2009.
  • Member, Transportation and Parking Committee. 2000 - 2009.

2008

  • Chair, Assistant Dean of the Graduate College Search Committee. 2008.
  • Member, Project to Identify Impediments to Email Effectiveness. 2008.
  • Guest Lecturer, Comal County Master Gardeners. 2008.
  • Member, Development Committee. 2006 - 2008.
  • Member, Conservation Committee, Botanical Society of America. 2005 - 2008.

2007

  • Reviewer / Referee, Consultant to serve as external program reviewer of Biology graduate and undergraduate programs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 2007.
  • Member, Service Award Selection Committee. 2005 - 2007.
  • Member, Research Selection Committee, International Water Lily and Water Gardening Society. 2005 - 2007.
  • Member, Service-Learning Committee. 2002 - 2007.

2006

  • Member, Common Experience Selection Committee. 2006.
  • Chair, Chair of Biology Search Committee. 2005 - 2006.
  • Member, Honors Committee. 2004 - 2006.
  • Member, Greenhouse Committee. 1997 - 2006.

2005

  • Dean, College of Science Search Committee. 2004 - 2005.
  • Member, Honors Scholarship Committee. 2004 - 2005.
  • Member, Tenure and Promotion Policy Review Committee. 2004 - 2005.
  • Member, Wildlife Ecologist Search Committee. 2004 - 2005.
  • Member, Developmental Biologist Search Committee. 2004 - 2005.
  • Chair, Graduate Committee. 2004 - 2005.
  • Immediate Past-president, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 2003 - 2005.
  • Member, Honors Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 2003 - 2005.
  • Member, Graduate Committee. 1997 - 2005.
  • Advisor, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. 1990 - 2005.

2004

  • Member, Honors Director Search Committee. 2004.
  • Member, Quantitative Ecologist Search Committee. 2004.
  • Chair, Developmental Biologist Search Committee. 2004.
  • Chair, Performance and Merit Teaching Committee. 2004.
  • Member, Local Annual Meeting Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 2003 - 2004.
  • Member, Departmental Executive Committee. 1999 - 2004.
  • Chair, Greenhouse Committee. 1997 - 2004.

2003

  • Member, University College Assistant Dean Ad-Hoc Search Committee. 2003.
  • Member, Ph.D. Steering Committee. 2003.
  • Member, Landscape Ecologist Search Committee. 2003.
  • Member, Performance and Merit Teaching Committee. 2002 - 2003.
  • President, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 2001 - 2003.
  • Member, Howard D. Schulze Biology Scholarship Selection Committee. 1997 - 2003.

2002

  • Member, Biostats Search Committee. 2002.
  • Guest Lecturer, Comal County Master Gardeners. 2002.
  • Member, Aquarena Coordinating Committee. 1999 - 2002.
  • Chair, Chuck Nash Aquatic Studies Scholarship Committee. 1999 - 2002.

2001

  • Chair, Performance and Merit Service Committee. 2001.
  • Field Trip Leader, Native Plant Society annual meeting. 2001.
  • Field Trip Leader and Guest Lecturer, Hays County Master Naturalists. 2001.
  • Member, Ichthyologist Search Committee. 2000 - 2001.
  • President-Elect, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1999 - 2001.
  • Chair, Student Poster Award Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1999 - 2001.
  • Chair, Wilks Award Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1999 - 2001.
  • Chair, Colloquium Committee. 1997 - 2001.
  • Member, Governance Committee, Center for Nature and Heritage Tourism. 1996 - 2001.
  • Member, Botanical Concerns Ad Hoc Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1996 - 2001.

2000

  • Member, University College Assistant Dean Ad-Hoc Search Committee. 2000.
  • Member, Performance and Merit Service Committee. 2000.
  • Member, Institutional Representative, Botanical Society of America. 2000.
  • Member, Aquatic Director Search Committee. 1999 - 2000.
  • Chair, Genetics Search Committee. 1999 - 2000.
  • Member, Faculty Advancement Advisory Committee. 1998 - 2000.
  • Member, Faculty Research Committee. 1997 - 2000.
  • Chair, College of Science Research Advisory Committee. 1997 - 2000.
  • Member, Seminar Committee. 1991 - 2000.

1999

  • Chair, University Lectures Committee. 1999.
  • Chair, Performance and Merit Teaching Committee. 1999.
  • Member, Post Tenure Review Committee. 1999.
  • Institutional Representative, Society for Ecological Restoration. 1999.
  • Member, Institutional Representative, Society for Ecological Restoration. 1999.
  • Member, SACS Review Committee. 1998 - 1999.
  • Member, Molecular Systematist Search Committee. 1997 - 1999.
  • Member, University Lectures Committee. 1996 - 1999.
  • Member, Disposition of Back Issues Ad Hoc Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1994 - 1999.
  • Treasurer, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1991 - 1999.
  • Member, Development Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1991 - 1999.
  • Member, Research Committee, International Water Lily Society. 1990 - 1999.
  • Co-Advisor, Alpha Chi National Honor Society. 1989 - 1999.

1998

  • Member, Freshman Academic Success Team (FAST). 1998.
  • Member, Learning Experience Team (LET) Committee. 1997 - 1998.
  • Chair, Molecular Systematist Search Committee. 1997 - 1998.
  • Member, Physiologist Search Committee. 1997 - 1998.
  • Member, Board of Directors, International Water Lily Society. 1990 - 1998.

1997

  • Chair, Outstanding Student Award Committee. 1997.
  • Member, Vertebrate Physiologist Search Committee. 1997.
  • Speaker, "Big Bugs Series." National Wildflower Research Center. 1997.
  • Speaker, "The Wetlands Project." SWT School of Science Homecoming Event. 1997.
  • Speaker, “SWT Wetlands Project.” San Marcos River Foundation. 1997.
  • Member, Wetlands Project Display Pond with Boardwalk. 1997.
  • Member, School of Science Dean Search Committee. 1996 - 1997.
  • Member, Awards Day Committee. 1996 - 1997.
  • Member, Assessment of Dues Ad Hoc Committee, Southwestern Association of Naturalists. 1996 - 1997.
  • Treasurer, International Water Lily Society. 1990 - 1997.

1996

  • Member, Departmental Direction Committee. 1996.
  • Member, Wetlands Project Exhibit at Aquarena Gift Shop. 1996.
  • Member, Aquarena Open House for Texas Teachers - Wetlands Exhibit. 1996.
  • Speaker, “SWT Wetlands Project.” San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. 1996.
  • Speaker, "SWT Wetlands Project" presentation made to the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Tourism Development. 1996.
  • Member, Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Selection Committee. 1994 - 1996.

1995

  • Member, SWT Staff Development Program. “Strategic Partnerships: Networking for Career Advancement, Promotion and Tenure.” Panel Member Representing the School of Science. 1995.
  • Member, Freshman Biology Committee. 1995.
  • Speaker, “Pollination biology.” National Wildflower Research Center. 1995.

1994

  • Member, Teaching Excellence Initiative. 1994.
  • Member, School of Science Advisory Group on General Studies. 1994.
  • Participant, SWT Day. Tour of Biology Greenhouses for 8th Graders. 1994.
  • Speaker, "Rainforests." Gifted Student Program, Travis Elementary. 1994.
  • Member, Biology 1310 Textbook Committee. 1993 - 1994.
  • Program Chairman and Executive Council Member, Texas Society for Electron Microscopy. 1993 - 1994.

1993

  • Member, Population Biologist Search Committee. 1993.
  • Chair, Biology 1310 Textbook Committee. 1993.
  • State Membership Coordinator, American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. 1993.
  • Participant, Tour of SWT Natural Science Center. SWT Parent's Association. 1993.
  • Member, University Interscholastic League Science Contest Director. 1992 - 1993.
  • Program Chairman Elect and Executive Council Member, Texas Society for Electron Microscopy. 1992 - 1993.
  • Chair, Botany Section, Texas Academy of Science. 1992 - 1993.

1992

  • Member, Systematics Agenda 2000: Committee for Public Education. 1992.
  • Member, Structural Features of Aquatic Plants. Program for North Shore Middle School. 1992.
  • Member, Woman in Science. Program for San Marcos Girl Scout Troops. 1992.
  • Member, Development of Teaching Gardens at the SWT Biology Greenhouses. 1991 - 1992.
  • Vice-Chair, Botany Section, Texas Academy of Science. 1991 - 1992.
  • Member, University and College Gardens Committee, American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. 1991 - 1992.

1991

  • Participant, Research Project Symposium. Botany Science Fair Projects for Owen Goodnight Junior High. 1991.

1990

  • Member, SWT Representative, Encouraging Women in the Mathematical and Natural Sciences Symposium, University of Texas. 1990.
  • Participant, NASA Tomato Seed Space Project. Research Program for Owen Goodnight Junior High. 1990.
  • Member, Local Host Committee, Texas Academy of Science. 1989 - 1990.
  • Member, Biology Scholarly Activity Committee. 1988 - 1990.

1989

  • Member, Biology Lab Safety Committee. 1989.

1925

  • Moderator, Paper Sessions for: Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Texas Academy of Science, Texas Society for Electron Microscopy, Women and Gender Research Collaborative. 1925.
  • Reviewer / Referee, National Geographic Society. 1925.
  • Reviewer, Reviewed manuscripts. 1925.
  • Associate Editor, Biology and Ecology of Rare Plants of the Southwest symposium papers. 1925.