Dear SMEA friends, 
Each academic year at SMEA brings new energy. This autumn, we were thrilled to welcome 34 new first-year students. As is always the case, they come from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, ranging from aquatic and fishery sciences, biology, marine biology, other natural and physical sciences, chemical and biological engineering, to environmental studies, cinema and photography, ethnic studies, history, political science, sociology, and sustainable community development. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs hosted its biennial Community Reception on November 22 at the Silver Cloud Inn, bringing together students, alumni, faculty, partners, and supporters for an evening of connection and celebration. The evening began with conversation, reconnecting, and building new relationships across the SMEA community.
Midway through the Evening, guests gathered for a short program featuring remarks from Dan Hull, Chair of the SMEA Director’s Council, Steve Metruck, Executive Director of the Port of Seattle and SMEA Professor of Practice, and SMEA Director and Professor Nives Dolšak. 

Our faculty had a productive research year. Below is the list of our 2025 publications for your easy access. The underlined co-authors are our students. We hope you enjoy learning about our newest work. 
Ere Aceves Bueno:

Clemens J, Ruesink JL, Donoghue C, Griffin PJ, Aceves-Bueno E (2025) Environmental justice in ecosystem restoration frameworks. Restoration Ecology e70165.
Lawson JM, Jean S, Steinkruger A, Castellanos-Rico M, Goto GM, Cisneros-Mata MÁ, Aceves-Bueno E, Warham MM, Sachs AM, Gaines SD (2025) Substantial gains and little downside from farming of Totoaba macdonaldi. 

Bio:
Erick Dowell is a 2024 graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. Originally from North Carolina, Erick earned his undergraduate degree in Biology and Marine Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied deep-sea microbial communities.
After moving to Washington ten years ago, Erick spent much of his time on the water, captaining boats around the West Coast, leading outdoor education programs, including Washington State’s official tall ship, Lady Washington, and making optical filters essential for micro-electronic manufacturing and high-powered sensor equipment. 

Dr. Kanae Komaki (2018) wrote from Japan that she completed a course on AI and has developed a proposal for an AI-based policy tool that could be applied to the review of contractor monitoring reports to the International Seabed Authority (ISA). She presented her proposal to the 2nd ISA Expert Scoping Workshop held in Kobe, Japan, in preparation for the possible transition to the exploitation phase of deep-seabed mining in the Area beyond national jurisdiction. 

Margaret Jelsma & Diana Perry
Eager to explore her future in the marine and environmental fields, SMEA student Margaret Jelsma turned to the Alumni Mentorship Program for guidance. She was matched with Diana Perry, an alumna passionate about sharing the mentorship she once longed for. Despite living in different states, they regularly connect via Zoom and email, which has helped them grow a strong rapport founded in shared experiences and a mutual interest in supporting each other’s growth. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) is pleased to announce the 2026 Winter Speaker Series, “Building a Port for the Future.” Hosted in partnership with leaders from the Port of Seattle, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and the U.S. Coast Guard, this year’s series will explore how ports shape economic opportunity, community well-being, and environmental resilience across the region.
Running from January 8 through March 19, the series brings together senior executives, commissioners, environmental planners, SMEA alumni, and federal sector leadership for weekly conversations on the challenges and opportunities facing modern maritime systems. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Monday, September 29, at 2:30 pm. Please see below for location details:
MAR Room 268  or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda12-4-25 Faculty Meeting Agenda is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

Reconnect with the School of Marine & Environmental Affairs (SMEA) at our 2025 reception! This biennial gathering brings together alumni, students, faculty, and friends to celebrate our community, share updates, and strengthen connections in marine and environmental affairs.
Date: November 22, 2025Time: 5:00–7:00 PMLocation: Silver Cloud Hotel (SODO, Stadium Location)
21+ Event
RSVP here: UW SMEA COMMUNITY RECEPTION AT PACIFIC MARINE EXPO 2025 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) is pleased to announce its Winter 2026 Speaker Series, themed “Building a Port for the Future.” This series explores the critical role of ports and marine transportation in supporting the vibrant marine economy of the Pacific Northwest.
The seven-part series brings together regional experts to discuss key issues shaping the maritime sector, including:

Maritime infrastructure and global trade

The port as a civic engine

Safety and security in maritime transportation

Marine energy and decarbonization

Environmental stewardship

Economic impact and community equity

The future of ports

Each session features a presentation followed by a lively Q&A discussion, offering opportunities for engagement and learning across the university and broader community.