Q&A with Mel Good
Describe your experience in applying to and selecting a graduate program.
Applying to graduate school was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Not necessarily because it was hard to put together an application, but because of the mental blocks that paralyzed me from even beginning. It took the pandemic, the realization that life was too short to not pursue your passions, and a LOT of therapy to get me to even apply. I spent most of my childhood in San Diego, and as some who is half-Filipino and played competitive soccer my skin was very dark. Years of internalizing racism severely effected how I viewed myself and what I was allowed to strive for, regardless of the fact that I was an excellent student throughout my entire academic career. When I was finally ready to apply to graduate school in 2021, I looked for a program in Seattle that emphasized multicultural work and supporting diversity in science and education. In the end, I’m glad I selected SMEA for the many opportunities to learn and grow.
How did you first hear about SMEA? What were your impressions of the program?
The first time I heard about SMEA was during an internship with NOAA at the La Jolla campus. I was working with the Marine Mammal Division on their blue whale and orca photo-identification catalog, and when I discussed the possibility of going to graduate school my supervisor at the time recommended SMEA specifically. Fast forward several years, after I moved out of my parents’ home to Seattle, worked as an animal husbandry technician through the pandemic, and ended up with a workplace injury during the pandemic which left me reconsidering my options. I decided it was time to go back to school and get a degree that would open up more job opportunities. I was passionate about conserving terrestrial and marine environments, but my background in ecology left a lot of gaps in my knowledge and skills. SMEA was the perfect program offered in Seattle which would let me learn about a wide variety of topics and disciplines related to the ocean and the environment. I approached the program like a professional degree, one that would give me the skills necessary to start a career.
Tell us about your Thesis work
I was a little unusual in that I had a thesis project secured before classes even started. I was hired by P. Sean McDonald over at the Program on the Environment as a TA, and he just so happened to be starting a project with the Pacific Northwest Crab Research Group (PCRG). The project involved developing a conceptual model through the elicitation of expert knowledge with the intention of informing research and management priorities for the South Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery. He asked if I was interested, and I figured why not! It took several workshops and meetings with a focus group of experts and the PCRG community as a whole to develop the conceptual model. From there, I used it to identify gaps in local knowledge regarding how Dungeness crab in Puget Sound interact with the environment through a keyword focused literature review. Overall, the most influential part of the experience was meeting everyone involved with the project and attending the PCRG meetings. It was wonderful working with so many different individuals who all had the same goal of conserving Dungeness crab for future generations to enjoy, and gave me valuable hands-on experience.
What has been your favorite class so far? Why?
My favorite class was Anne’s SMEA 500. I took the class the first time she taught it in 2022 and I’m so curious how it has evolved since then. It was a great way to get to know my cohort and played a major part in helping ease my anxiety over returning to academia after so long.
What do you like most about SMEA?*
SMEA attracts a wide variety of individuals from all sorts of backgrounds. I believe that is one of this program’s greatest strengths. The best experience I had was meeting with other students for a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game.
What’s it like living in Seattle? What do you do in your spare time? Any favorite local spots?
I moved to Seattle in 2017 and expect to stay here for a while. I would describe Seattle as being a very compact city. You get the perks of a big city, but everything is a relatively short bus ride away. It’s very different from what I was used to in San Diego, where public transportation was laughable and to get anywhere interesting you had to drive at least half an hour. It’s been years and I still don’t own a car! The city is also very culturally diverse and there is a lot of focus on community building. I’m a bit of a homebody and tend to spend a lot of time at home, but I enjoy exploring the city and trying new places to eat. I’ve visited nearly all the Filipino restaurants in Seattle metro, and now that my brother (who has a car) lives with us, I can explore further! I highly recommend Hood Famous Cafe & Bar, a Filipino coffee shop across the street from the International District/Chinatown Link Station, for an elevated take on Filipino comfort food, amazing coffee sourced from the Philippines, and cozy atmosphere. My favorite order is an Ice Pandan Latte with a Calamansi Mini Cheesecake.
If you could design your dream job after graduation, what would it be and why?
A Tenure-track Professor. I’ve found my passion for teaching, and I have enough experience working in education to know I do not want to teach younger than college students. I would love to teach environmental studies with a focus on diverse communities and environmental justice.
Who was your support network while pursuing your MMA? Did you have an alternative outlet (ex. kickboxing, hiking, etc.)?
My wife, my dog, and my roommate who was also my roommate back in undergrad. I played many, many hours of various video games throughout my time at SMEA, to the point that I regret not going outside more.
Is there an environment or ecosystem you’ve learned about in SMEA that you want to visit someday?
I received the FLAS Fellowship fo
r taking Tagalog. Much of my independent study was on various environmental issues in the Philippines. I would love to visit my mom’s birth city, Calapan City in Mindoro. It’s on the coast and has a nearby fish sanctuary.
What assignment or experience has been the most eye-opening? Any lightbulb moments in the program?
The most eye-opening experience has to be my predoctoral instructor position teaching for Program on the Environment. I would not have had this opportunity had I now TA’d for them nearly my entire time at SMEA. This formative experience made me realize my passion for teaching environmental science.
What is your favorite form of marine life and why?
Sea Otters! I absolutely adore them, and they were the topic of many case studies in my undergrad years at UC Santa Cruz. They’re incredibly cute, and as ecosystem engineers it’s absolutely incredible how they can transform a coastline from urchin barrens to kelp forests. I own several sea otter (and river otter) plushies.
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