What led you to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs?

I’ve always had an affinity for the oceans and a few years into my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to do something that involved the oceans. Initially, I thought I wanted to simply study what we didn’t know, but as I got to learn of the threats facing our oceans, I decided I wanted to pursue something that would allow me to help make a difference. Marine affairs allows me to marry my love for the ocean with the policy knowledge and contacts I need to make a difference.

Why did you choose UW’s SMEA for graduate school?

I decided to come to UW’s SMEA because I saw how well SMEA would prepare me in the world of marine affairs. It was ideally located for me on the west coast in a very environmentally progressive region of the country. I felt that being taught about marine affairs in such a region of the country, where it is of high importance, would be vital for me.

What are you writing your thesis about and why?

I’m looking at the impacts of marine debris in the Northeast Pacific since the 1960s while putting the 2011 Japanese tsunami marine debris event into context. I will be analyzing the impacts along coastlines from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska and Hawaii as well as impacts to marine wildlife. I initially decided to write about this through my interest in invasive species and role marine debris plays in that field. As I studied it more, I realized how important and exactly how big of an impact marine debris had on the marine environment and I wanted to be a part of the solution.

What has been your favorite class at UW so far? Why?

My favorite class here at the University of Washington was called Natural Resource Conflict Management (ESRM 400). It was interesting as it help give me the skills I would need to deal with many of the environmental issues today. Through both lectures and mock negotiations, I had a chance to learn how to solve issues and negotiation with people who have different priorities and points of view.

What do you like most about SMEA?

I really like the fact that SMEA pushes us to studying various different fields from marine law to policy to marine science. I think it really helps prepare us students for any sort of career in the field of marine affairs. SMEA also offers me the opportunity to meet various marine affairs professionals, which allows me network very easily.

What’s it like to live in Seattle? What do you do in your spare time?

I really like living in Seattle. I’m originally from Connecticut and the west coast is definitely more my speed and style. I love the proximity of Seattle to the outdoors and often head out to the surrounding mountains for hiking and camping. I also enjoy spending time at the local parks in my hammock as well as biking.

If you could design your ultimate job after graduating, what would it be and why?

If I could have any job when I left SMEA, it would most likely be one either with an NGO or a governmental agency. Ideally, I would like to be working on a project that is tackling some of the big issues facing the oceans and coasts like marine debris, ocean acidification, habitat loss, or climate change.

What is your favorite form of marine life, and why?

I’m really torn here between sharks and octopuses. Since I was a little, I’ve always had a great admiration of the various different types of sharks. I recently worked with great white sharks and was amazed by their raw power and majestic nature. While I haven’t worked with octopuses, I really always thought they were fascinatingly smart and interesting creatures.