One of the many advantages of studying at SMEA is the opportunity to engage with the vast resources available across the University of Washington.
Recently, students in the Marine Science in the Coastal Zone course, taught by Assistant Professor Erendira Aceves Bueno, Ph.D., visited the UW Fish Collection, a globally significant archive of fish biodiversity. During their visit, students had the chance to observe an incredible diversity of species up close, from beautifully preserved coastal fishes to the striking and unforgettable deep-sea anglerfish. 

Research led by SMEA Professor Ryan Kelly and research scientist Aden Yincheong Ip is currently featured on the University of Washington website’s front page.
Their study highlights an innovative method for monitoring salmon populations using airborne environmental DNA (eDNA). By collecting genetic material from the air, researchers can detect the presence of salmon without relying solely on traditional counting methods.
This approach offers a less invasive, more efficient way to track fish populations and could expand monitoring efforts in remote or difficult-to-access areas. 

SMEA Director Nives Dolsak, Ph.D., is serving as a guest editor for a special issue of Business & Society titled “Our Oceans as a Business-Society Nexus: Advancing the Interplay of Blue Economy, Blue Governance, and Blue Justice.”
The issue is co-edited with Matevž (Matt) Rašković, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, and brings together interdisciplinary research examining the interactions between ocean-based economic activity, governance, and social equity. 

The University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) would like to thank everyone who participated in our Winter 2026 Speaker Series. Over several weeks, the series brought together leaders from the maritime industry, government, environmental organizations, and the Port of Seattle to share their expertise and perspectives with our community.
We are deeply grateful to our guest speakers, Tong Zhu, John Wolfe, Toshiko Hasegawa, Steve Metruck, Captain Mark McDonnell, Sandy Kilroy, Alex Adams, Jon Sloan, Kathleen Hurley, Delaney Cyphers, Andy Gregory, and Bookda Gheiser, for generously sharing their knowledge and professional experiences. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Thursday, March 5th, at 12:00 pm. Please see below for location details:
MAR Room 268 or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda, 3-5-26 Faculty Meeting Agenda, is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Terrie Klinger on her retirement and transition to Professor Emeritus in 2026.  
A benthic ecologist, Dr. Klinger’s research has focused on applying ecological theory to practical management solutions, including ecosystem-based approaches to managing natural resources in the ocean, the ecological effects of environmental stressors, such as ocean acidification and habitat loss, and how rocky intertidal communities respond to and recover from disturbance. 

SMEA Professor Ryan Kelly is featured in a new piece from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation highlighting the impact of environmental DNA (eDNA) research and the foundation’s long-standing support for scientific partnerships in this field.
The post showcases how eDNA research is advancing new ways to monitor biodiversity and understand ecosystems, an area where Kelly and his collaborators have made significant contributions. 

SMEA Associate Professor Anne Beaudreau recently attended the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Crab Research Group (PCRG), where members of the SMEA community played an active role in advancing research on Dungeness crab biology, ecology, and fisheries.
SMEA students Hannah Brown, Devynn Gately, and Maddie Gard presented thesis research through posters and talks. Capstone students Kiki Dial, Jo Harris, Katie Raab, and Zoe Tucker-Borrut also contributed by helping facilitate a PCRG session focused on identifying future research priorities for Dungeness crab. 

SMEA Associate Professor Sunny Jardine recently took students into the field to learn about culverts and other barriers that prevent fish passage. During the trip, students joined Catalina Burch, who now works with Trout Unlimited, to observe how barrier assessments are conducted to collect data for fish passage barrier inventories.
Students Elise Wilson-Leedy, Eitan Gerstle, and Erica MacKenzie, who are currently working on a capstone project examining fish passage barriers in the Tulalip Tribes’ usual and accustomed fishing areas, participated in the trip alongside QERM student Guy Bennevat Hanninovich. 

SMEA Associate Professor Anne Beaudreau has been appointed as a Senior Editor for FACETS, an international, multidisciplinary open-access science journal published by Canadian Science Publishing.
Beaudreau’s research focuses on how fisheries systems and coastal communities respond and adapt to environmental, regulatory, and social change. Her collaborative and interdisciplinary work emphasizes the importance of strong relationships, communication, and trust, alongside the best available science, in effective fisheries management.