The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) at the University of Washington is pleased to announce that Dr. Shana Hirsch will join the faculty as an Assistant Professor beginning in Fall 2026.
Dr. Hirsch is a qualitative social scientist with a background in natural resource politics, policy, and management. Her research focuses on emerging technologies and their impact on individuals, communities, and policies related to sustainability and equity. 

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. 

Second-year School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) graduate students Amie Kusch and Clare Knife were recently invited to attend the FAO Expert Workshop: Turning Guidance into Action: Regional Insights for Implementing the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy.
The invitation came from their FAO client, Amber Himes-Cornell, whose collaboration with the students is part of their SMEA capstone project. 

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 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. 

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 15 through February 26, 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 is pleased to announce Rear Admiral Steve Metruck, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), and Executive Director of the Port of Seattle, has joined us as Professor of Practice in addition to his role as Executive Director of the Port of Seattle.
With a distinguished over forty-year career spanning maritime leadership and public service, Metruck brings extensive experience as both a U.S. 

SMEA Research Scientist Chris Sergeant is in northern British Columbia this month, conducting fieldwork and engaging with local and online audiences.

Presentation at Yukon University: Chris and colleague Brittany Milner (Salmon Watersheds Lab, Simon Fraser University) will present on Monday at noon, with a virtual attendance option. More details: Yukon Science Institute

CBC Radio Interview: Chris and Brittany recently completed an interview for CBC’s The Weekender, airing Sunday morning in Canada and available afterward online: CBC Listen

This outreach highlights SMEA’s commitment to connecting marine and freshwater research with communities and the broader public. 

Allen Shimada (MMA ’85), member of the SMEA Director’s Council, recently hosted Minister M. Sato, Head of the Chancery at the Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C., and Noriko Sanefuji from the National Museum of American History.
During the visit, Mr. Shimada highlighted SMEA’s interdisciplinary education and the successful careers of SMEA alumni in Japan, spanning graduates from 1978 to 2024. The conversation underscored the global impact of SMEA’s programs and the strong connections between the School and international partners. 

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