How would you describe yourself as an undergraduate student?
Curious about many things, but not particularly interested in getting to the root of any one subject.
When and how did you discover your passion/interest in marine and environmental affairs?
I think of marine and environmental affairs as a panoply of subjects that happen to overlap in the ocean — e.g., environmental law, marine biology, economics, policy. 

Finalist for the 2025 Husky 100

Why did you decide to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs?
I decided to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs to bridge the gap between communities and scientists through environmental education, communication, and citizen science programs. This interest in working directly with communities has evolved during my time in graduate school to a passion for community-engaged research in environmental and public health issues. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Thursday, April 3, at 12:00 pm. Please see below for location details:
OCN Room 203  or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda,04.03.25 Faculty Meeting Agenda final, is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

We are proud of the success of our first capstone presentation of the year: “The Public Perception of Aquaculture in Oregon.” Congratulations to Kyla Bivens, Delaney Cyphers, and Kenza Oaulim! 

How did you first hear about SMEA? What were your impressions of the program?

In the spring of 2016, nearly nine years ago, I first discovered the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA). At the time, I had been accepted into the University of Washington as an undergraduate and was exploring various academic options to determine which program piqued my interest most. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Thursday, March 6, at 12:00 pm. Please see below for location details:
OCN Room 203  or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda, 03.06.25 Faculty Meeting Agenda, is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

Dr. Nives Dolsak’s latest paper, entitled “Postmaterialism and Environmental Protection Revisited: Domestic Plastic Bag Regulations, 1992–2019”, just got published online in Global Environmental Politics!
 
Abstract:
The postmaterialism hypothesis suggests that wealthy countries are likely to be early adopters of pollution control regulations. Yet, Global South countries have taken the lead in regulating plastic bags. To explain this puzzle, Dolsak and co-authors examine the influence of plastic waste imports on the onset of domestic plastic bag regulations. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Thursday, February 6, at 12:00 pm. Please see below for location details:
OCN Room 203  or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda, Faculty Meeting Agenda 02.06.2025, is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

Why did you decide to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs?
I’ve always loved the ocean but never quite felt at home in my oceanography undergrad. I felt there was more I could be doing for conservation and sustainability. When I read the course description and looked into the classes, I felt like they were made for me!

Why did you decide to attend the UW, and SMEA specifically, for graduate school? 

The Northwest Straits Foundation is proud to welcome the 2025 Caroline Gibson Scholars in Marine Studies. The scholarship honors NWSF Director Caroline Gibson’s enduring legacy to the Salish Sea. During her lifetime, Caroline worked selflessly to build a diverse community of passionate individuals, organizations, and agencies committed to restoring its coastlines, waters, and habitat. Two SMEA students were recipients of this award: second-year student Taylor Hughes, and first-year student Isaac Olson.