Fall 2023 Speakers Series
Thursday, October 12, 12-1 pm
Melissa Parks (she/her), Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Washington – School of Marine and Environmental Affairs and NOAA – Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Talk title: Exploring the Influence of Multispecies Interactions on Small Farmers’ Perceptions of and Responses to Climate Change in Oregon
Bio: Melissa Parks is an applied anthropologist researching human interactions with the environment and food systems in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. She completed her dissertation at Oregon State University focusing on the ways interactions with various information sources influenced small farmers’ perceptions of and responses to climate change in Oregon. Since graduating, she has worked for the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center where she researches the ways Alaskan coastal communities are being impacted by climate change and management policies. As a Postdoctoral Scholar at UW, she is researching climate change impacts on the food security and sovereignty of these communities.
Thursday, October 26, 12-1 pm
Chris Sergeant (he/him), Research Scientist, University of Montana; Affiliate Instructor, UW SMEA
Talk title: An Interdisciplinary Story of the Rapidly Deglaciating Taaltsux̱éi Watershed
Bio: Chris Sergeant is an applied watershed scientist working where freshwaters, fish, and people converge. He grew up in Des Moines, Washington, and currently lives in Seattle working remotely as a research scientist with the Flathead Lake Biological Station. Chris is also an Affiliate Instructor with the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. Before moving back to Seattle with his family in late 2020, he enjoyed living 10 years in Juneau, Alaska, which had a huge influence on his perspectives on life and science. Chris studies mining impacts to freshwater ecosystems, climate change implications for Pacific salmon, best practices for developing long-term ecological monitoring plans, and the governance of transboundary watersheds. Chris received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Washington and his PhD from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Thursday, November 16, 12-1 pm
Corey Ridings (she/her), Member, Pacific Fishery Management Council; Doctoral Student, UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences; Manager, Fish Conservation Program, Ocean Conservancy
Talk title: Fisheries Policy is for Everyone
Bio: Corey Ridings is a doctoral student focusing on fisheries and public health issues related to community sustainability at the University of Washington. She has worked in the environmental advocacy community since 2011 on efforts related to climate change, West Coast fish conservation, and ecosystem-based management. Previously she was a Knauss Fellow with the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, observed in the North Pacific groundfish fleet, and served as the minority health epidemiologist for the state of Michigan. Corey is a member of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, on the advisory board of California Sea Grant, and a returned Peace Corps Philippines Volunteer. Corey holds a BA in biology from Occidental College and a Master of Public Health from Yale.