• BA, Environmental Studies & Political Science, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara 2024

During undergrad, Maya worked as an assistant researcher for a project on a proposed marine sanctuary off of the California coast, which analyzed the impacts through environmental, ecological, political, and social scopes. This project introduced her to the field of environmental justice, which led to working on the climate justice and equity portion of creating a decarbonization plan at UCSB. During her time at SMEA she hopes to continue working at the intersection of environmental conservation and social justice.

• BA, Economics, Computer Science minor, University of Pennsylvania, 2015

Rebecca is passionate about combining technology with policy to restore marine ecosystems. Before attending UW, she worked as a senior software engineer at Microsoft and Meta, leading interdisciplinary teams and building complex software projects. She’s also worked as an outdoor guide at REI and as a nursery assistant for a local native plant nursery. In both these roles, she spread information that encouraged people to better steward the ecosystems around them. She has wide-ranging volunteer experience spanning from wildlife rehabilitation to public outreach and citizen science monitoring. Rebecca is interested in the practical application of marine science and data to inform planning and management decisions.

• BS, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, Concentration in Fisheries, University of Vermont, 2014

Thor grew up in a small fishing town in Northern Maine. As a captain, educator, and fisher the ocean has been a way of life for as long as he can remember. Feeling profoundly lucky for his connection to the water, Thor has spent over a decade working and volunteering with various nonprofits, sharing the privilege of access to water and boats with a diverse audience. Thor has become increasingly interested in storytelling and science communication as a way of reaching new and broader audiences. He hopes to distill the moments and feelings afforded by nature, science, adventure, love, and curiosity into narratives that bring people out of the difficulties of their day-to-day lives and bring them to a place or feeling. By listening to and highlighting the perspectives of traditionally underrepresented communities, Thor hopes to be a part of rejuvenating the methods and modalities of marine conservation. All with the hopes of making conservation a living, participatory process that brings individuals a shared feeling of accomplishment, belonging, joy, and inspiration.

• BS, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, 2006

Kate currently works at the University of Washington as a project manager on the the MMARINeDNA (Marine Mammal Remote detection via Innovative environmental DNA sampling) grant which is investigating the transportation, persistence, and distribution of marine mammal DNA at different spatial and temporal scales along the US West Coast. Prior to joining the MMARINeDNA grant, Kate competed and coached rowing at the collegiate and international level. She is interested in marine ecology and effective communication to bridge the gap between research and policy to help create sustainable and cost-effective conservation strategies for marine ecosystems.

• BS, Environmental Science, San Diego State University, 2020

Emily grew up in Southern California, where the intersection of urban and coastal ecosystems inspired her interest in plants, animals, and human impacts on the environment. She discovered her passion for marine science in Madagascar where she earned her first diving certifications and participated in coral reef conservation work in 2019. Later during Emily’s undergraduate career at SDSU, she conducted research examining the effects of salinity and nutrients on macroalgae in the context of regenerative aquaculture and bioremediation in urban waters. Since graduating she has continued to follow her passions working with seaweed as a sustainable aquaculture research technician, and working as a scientific diver with UC Santa Barbara on a large-scale kelp forest monitoring project. Since moving to Seattle in 2023, she has been working as a Divemaster for Seattle Dive Tours where she leads guided tours and conducts reviews for certified divers, with a focus on environmental education and marine conservation. Emily is interested in studying temperate marine ecosystems to support policy development, coastal management, and restoration efforts, and is eager to learn more about Salish Sea ecology, environmental justice, and science communication.

• BA, History, University of Washington, 2020

Anders has worked with the restoration-focused non-profit Friends of the Los Angeles River, as a congressional staffer for a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and assisted with compiling and transcribing sensitive oral histories for the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in Atlin, B.C. He is interested in the intersection of policy, Indigenous rights and involvement, and restoration projects, with a particular fondness for wetlands.

• BS, Chemical & Biological Engineering w/ minor in Global & Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University, 2021

Bella has spent her whole life around the ocean. Growing up in Hawai‘i, she has always been passionate about protecting and restoring the marine ecosystems she calls home. Through internships at the University of Hawai‘i, she studied the effects of microplastics on corals and explored how traditionally managed Native Hawaiian fishponds help naturally restore coastal ecosystems. She also spent a semester studying in Iceland, where she examined the unique impacts of climate change on coastal communities and completed a research-based capstone evaluating such stressors. Bella is interested in developing ecosystem-based approaches to coastal restoration efforts and learning more about the policies and management strategies behind marine protected areas.

•  BS, Still Photography, Ithaca College, 2018

Josh grew up in coastal New England before studying photography and visual communications at Ithaca College. Since then, he’s pursued a number of environmental projects, though his work photographing the last remote fishing communities in subarctic Canada, those which endured the collapse of the North Atlantic cod fishery, was especially influential in shaping his path. Since relocating to Seattle in 2019, Josh has worked on the water, helping to grow public appreciation for the Salish Sea and developing extensive knowledge of native flora and marine life. At SMEA, he’s interested in exploring how human activities and land use affect coastal biodiversity, alongside developing new adaptive strategies to ensure long-term ecosystem resilience in a changing ocean.

• BS, Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Ecology, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 2019

Since graduating in 2019 from Cal Poly, Hannah has worked in 18 marine and freshwater fisheries between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Program, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. She has volunteered for the past two summers with the Pacific Northwest Crab Research Group gathering data on larval Dungeness crab abundance at Shilshole Bay Marina. Hannah has experienced the tension that can exist between fisheries stakeholders and managers firsthand, and is interested in learning more about this in an academic setting. She is passionate about data analysis and visualization as a tool for communication between fisheries stakeholders, as well as for outreach and education. Hannah firmly believes that sustainable fisheries are only possible when all involved in management are given an equitable seat at the table, and is looking forward to gaining skills in graduate school to help make that a reality.

• BA, Geography and BS, Biology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 2024

Will is a concurrent-degree student at SMEA and the Jackson School of International Studies, working towards an MA in Southeast Asian Studies. As a recipient of the Boren scholarship, he spent 9 months in Indonesia studying Indonesian and interning at a local NGO focused on mangrove conservation. At UW, he also is a recipient of the Foreign Languages and Area Studies Fellowship, studying Vietnamese. Will is interested in environmental history, political ecology and justice-based approaches to sustainable development in coastal social-ecological systems.

• B.Sc., Environmental Science & Anthropology, Fordham University, 2025

Eve has been entrenched in the ecological world of the Pacific Northwest since childhood, and is most often found knee-deep in a river or tidal zone. She graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, during which she engaged in aquatic field research through the Louis Calder Center from the summer of 2024 through her 2025 graduation. Her research focused on invasive algae presence in local streams and the effects of road salt on river health, and she looks forward to exploring more aquatic ecosystems back home in Seattle. Eve has worked as a science mentor for middle school students in the Bronx community and as a summer educator for the Pacific Science Center, both of which pushed her to explore peer mentorship as an undergraduate and beyond. She is interested in enriching local ecological education, taking her research experience forward into new biomes, and examining best practices for land stewardship with indigenous groups

• BS, Marine Science (Biology Track) & BA, Animal Studies, Eckerd College, 2023

Marisa spent her undergraduate career on the Gulf Coast of Florida, where she interned with Mote Marine Laboratory’s Stranding Investigations program. It was here that she began conducting research on green turtle fibropapillomatosis, which would eventually culminate into an undergraduate thesis and a full-length manuscript that is currently undergoing the peer-review process. Through her time working with Mote’s stranding team, Marisa became interested in problem solving ways to reduce the mortality and serious injury of marine animals due to commercial fishing and marine recreation. Following the completion of her undergraduate degrees, she spent the last year working as a 7th grade science teacher, where she discovered her knack for education and outreach. Marisa is excited to expand her biology background to research and policy based problem solving through her graduate education at UW.

• BSE, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, 2017

Christopher served as a Meteorology and Oceanography Officer in the U.S. Navy, specializing in using environmental data to understand and predict submarine tactics. His latest tour was as Officer-In-Charge of a small team of ocean forecasters working out of Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. His main interests are hazard prediction and human responses to forecasted hazards, focusing on migration, housing choice, and insurance.

• BA Ecology, BA Anthropology, University of Georgia, 2025

Despite growing up in inland Georgia, Jordan spent her undergraduate career studying oyster reef restoration strategies on shorelines across the Southeastern United States. She discovered her passion for finding human-based solutions to environmental problems through her involvement and ascension with the Georgia-based nonprofit, Shell to Shore. By bridging the communications gap between academia and the public, she aims to engage local communities in low-effort, high-reward conservation efforts and sustainable solutions. While at UGA, Jordan conducted research on oyster parasitism, artificial substrate success rates for oyster reef restoration, honeybee vaccination success, and digitizing data on archaeological sites using GIS. She also gained experience working with stakeholders from projects such as using sustainable practices to increase river recreation and safety, studying the impact of stakeholder biases on potable water conservation and distribution, and providing ecological education basics for public recreational land. Outside of her academics and career, Jordan enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, and of course, spending time on the water.

• BS in Water Science-Hydrology , Univ. of Nebraska, 2019

Zoe was a Peace Corps volunteer in  Panama, where she participated in several environmental projects that included developing a community garden to provide vegetables to the school  and tree nursery to be used as a reforestation and revitalization tactic for local farmers and ranchers whose land had been previously deforested. She is interested in effective management of marine and environmental resources, and working with communities to develop environmental management techniques that respect the community’s traditional practices while intertwining modern management methods. She also had jobs as a Park Ranger in Colorado, a field data collection technician in White Mountain National Forest, and a Science Technician for Environmental Consultants.

• BS, Marine Science and Biology, University of Miami, 2023

Carolyn’s career in science communication began in her kitchen, testing thickening agents as a method of controlling invasive Zebra Mussels for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. While attending the University of Miami, Carolyn worked in the marine biophysics lab, using her background in glass art to recreate physical models of tissue deformation observed in Trichoplax adhaerens cultures. Her multidisciplinary thesis, pulled from her marine science, physics, and kiln-formed glass studies and ultimately allowed Carolyn to find work as a glassblower in Seattle. Carolyn is interested in environmental policy analysis, hoping to find more effective political messaging methods to advance conservation and climate change efforts.

• BS, Biology, University of California Los Angeles 2023

In her undergrad at UCLA, Kailani was involved in two major research projects. The first project studied the effects of canine presence on fox behaviors in the Santa Monica Mountains with the goal of better understanding how human encroachment on natural habitats changes animal behavior. The second research project focused on understanding the role viruses can play in combating harmful algal blooms by changing various environmental factors to trigger their lytic replication cycle. Kailani is interested in collaborating with local communities to restore coastal and terrestrial habitats and manage natural resources for long-term sustainable use. She is also interested in creating outreach opportunities for local youth to educate them on the importance of various ecosystems and sustainable resource use.

• BS, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS, Environment, University of Michigan, 2024

Meredith is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan, where she researched the evolution of neotropical freshwater fish from the Upper Mazaruni region of Guyana and the impacts of climate change on non-game fishes of Michigan. She also spent a semester in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where she researched bycatch and other threats to water snakes in the Tonle Sap and communicated the presence of novel threats to local conservation organizations. She is originally from Spokane, Washington, and is excited to return to the PNW and gain experience with marine systems. She is interested in marine conservation, especially as it relates to local use and development, and bridging the gap between ecology and policy. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and playing jazz piano.

• BS, Interdisciplinary Studies, Wildlife Conservation and Sustainability, Coastal Carolina University, 2023
• MS, MBA, Coastal Marine Wetland Studies, Coastal Carolina University, 2024

Growing up in the Midwest, Alyssa wasn’t truly exposed to the ocean and the marine life within. Ever since moving to Myrtle Beach South Carolina to attend Coastal Carolina University, an instant love for the ocean developed. Seeing all the negative outcomes humans contribute to influenced her interest in protecting those who can’t speak up. Alyssa has been an intern at a wildlife rehabilitation center caring for baby opossums, raccoons, birds, and bunnies. She is currently interning at the Milwaukee County Zoo looking after the giraffe, hippos and other hoof stock. During both experiences, her love for wildlife and interest in wildlife conservation grew tremendously. She is interested in understanding how human interactions affect the welfare of marine mammals, especially plastic pollution. Outside of the classroom, you can find Alyssa playing beach volleyball, at the beach, drawing, and spending time with family. Alyssa was a student athlete during her undergrad years and last masters, so she has traveled the country and met an amazing number of people.

• BS, Evolution, Environmental and Organismal Biology, California State University-Monterey Bay, 2024

Abby has interned with the Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy, where she participated in catching and tagging juvenile sharks and rays in Florida to help track local elasmobranch populations. Abby also worked on a project studying the effects of temperature stress on Pocillopora Coral using DNA extraction and genetic modeling. She is interested in developing methods and policies to conserve shark populations globally.

• BS, Journalism and Biology, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022

During her undergraduate degree, Anna was a scientific research assistant at two laboratories at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For one of these projects, she used Next Generation Sequencing Methods to research lady beetles’ feed behavior and their potential benefits as natural pest control. She also wrote for the student newspaper on environmental and social issues, such as PFAS pollution in local lakes and prescribed burns. For the past year and a half, she’s been working in policy research in the PNW. She is interested in exploring land and sea management approaches that integrate ecological science with social and cultural considerations, such as the role that policy can play in creating equitable and sustainable food systems, including marine systems.

• BS, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Minors in Diversity and Inclusion in Natural Resources and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 2023

After wrapping up her degree in the spring of 2023, Tara began working as a fisheries technician for the Larval Fish Laboratory at CSU. For the past two years, she has worked primarily on the Yampa and Green rivers, studying the distribution, movement, and reproduction of native and endangered freshwater fishes. She has since gotten her fill of rafting, canoeing, and fish handling and has decided to head back into the classroom to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs. She hopes to advance her understanding of social-ecological research in the context of the Pacific Northwest and support climate-adaptive stewardship practices in coastal fishing communities.

• BS, Environmental Science, Western Washington University, 2023 BA, Spanish, Western Washington University, 2023

Maddie spent her summer working on the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust Trail Crew practicing daily land stewardship performing maintenance and building of trails in the Greenway’s National Heritage Area. Previously, she served as a Lab Manager in WWU’s Marine Mammal Ecology Lab where she has studied harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and their predation on migrating salmon in the Salish Sea. As a Hollings Scholar in NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, she conducted a literature review and developed communications products synthesizing synergistic relationships between fishery-managed species and coral reefs. Maddie is interested in ecological relationships and shifting dynamics resulting from climate change as well as ecosystem-based management of marine resources.

• BS, Marine Science, California State University Monterey Bay, 2023

Devynn has been pursuing experiences in marine science since she was just 9 years old. As a child, she spent her summers volunteering at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and Marine Mammal Care Center in Los Angeles, California. In her undergraduate career, she became proficient in ArcGIS using the software to map seagrass degradation in Elkhorn Slough. Additionally, Devynn was 1 of 18 students accepted into the NOAA EPP/MSI Scholarship program. Through this opportunity, Devynn researched how offshore windfarms impact highly migratory species, and she worked with the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center to investigate the trophic linkages among juvenile salmon, forage fish, and jellyfish in Washington’s Puget Sound. Today, Devynn serves as a crustacean fisheries biologist for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. In her current position, she has developed a passion for policy and marine resource management.

• BS, Biology and Marine Science, The College of William & Mary, 2023

Eitan spent the last 2 years of his undergraduate career as a research intern with Conservation International’s ocean team, helping to create and develop a model to assess the health of mangrove ecosystems within the Sulu-Sulawesi seascape in the Philippines. He is interested in the monitoring and assessing the impacts that marine sanctuaries and reserves have, both on the ecosystems that they are protecting and on the people who depend on those ecosystems.

• BA, Ethnic Studies, Environmental Studies minor, Univ. of CA- San Diego, 2021

Prasadini has a background in restorative justice and is an alumnus of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Washington. There, her passion for community, social justice praxis, and affinity for the environment were ignited. During this program, she was part of a project that researched food justice policies in Snohomish County, WA. During her undergrad studies, she was the Social Justice Intern for the Environmental Justice committee and was awarded a prize from the Provost of Muir College for her dedication to environmental justice. Since then, she has been trusted and appointed to be the Public Lands Project Manager for an oral history project that centers the voices of historically marginalized communities and their relationships to nature.

• BS, Biology (Ecology Emphasis) & Minor in Humanities, Azusa Pacific University, 2023 

Kyana’s research interests are centered around the environmental and socio-economic effects of climate change within communities. After researching physiological responses of sunflowers to climate change stressors, Kyana served as an AmeriCorps California Climate Action Corps Fellow, teaching climate resilience, eco-justice, and mitigation strategies to Southern California residents. Kyana looks forward to integrating climate science and law through the lens of marine ecosystems.

• BS, Marine Biology, Univ. of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2022

After completing her capstone in undergrad, which examined microplastics, Lou volunteered her time in New Zealand (Aotearoa) working with endangered Kākā birds. Returning to the US, she spent most of her time in hydrology, also conducting salmon population fieldwork on California’s North Coast, where she served with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board as part of the Watershed Stewardship Program. An avid diver, Lou has maintained her AAUS scientific diving certification and hopes to become certified as an instructor to share the underwater world with others. Her interests have always lain in marine plastics, with a more recent focus on Indigenous social and environmental justice thanks to her experiences in Hawai’i and Aotearoa, and even more recently, salmon.

• BA, Sociology and Geography, Minor in Labor Studies, University of Washington, 2023

Hannah is endlessly curious about the ways people connect with coasts, wetlands, and the creatures that call them home. She’s taught tide pool ecology, led muddy marsh walks, and created hands-on science programs for youth across California and Washington. Most recently, she worked as an educator in Yosemite National Park, helping students explore big landscapes and ask even bigger questions. At UW, Hannah is eager to build on her background in education by exploring the intersections of marine science, policy, and community resilience. She’s especially interested in the organisms that inhabit coastal and wetland ecosystems and how their health reflects broader environmental conditions. Hannah is passionate about how coastal restoration, climate adaptation, and inclusive decision-making can protect both these species and the people who rely on them. Through interdisciplinary research and hands-on fieldwork, she hopes to develop creative, collaborative strategies for addressing complex marine and coastal challenges.

• BS, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Univ. of Washington, 2014

Charlie has accrued over a year of sea time in Alaska on the Bering Sea performing various scientific surveys on commercial crab species, including snow crab, red king crab, blue king crab, golden king crab, and Tanner crab. Over the last 10 years, his areas of interest have included tracking species distribution metrics, fishing gear performance, derelict gear impacts, and gear-specific bycatch reduction efforts. Charlie’s parent company, Natural Resource Consultants Inc. (NRC), has contracted him for a project assessing how long commercial crab pots remain lethal after being lost by “simulating” lost pots in situ fitted with pop-up satellite tags to release when regulatory bio-twine degrades. He plans to utilize this project to follow the thesis track.

• BA, Environmental Science, University of Denver, 2022 Minors: Business Administration, International Studies, Sustainability

Jaime has been a part of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) as an Aquatic Field Ecologist, where he conducted large-scale ecological monitoring and fieldwork across freshwater sites in the Southern Rockies, Colorado Plateau, and the Central Plains. This experience deepened his commitment to connecting environmental science with meaningful conservation outcomes and policy decisions. With this in mind, he is passionate about interdisciplinary approaches that bridge science, policy, economics, and community collaboration to protect marine environments and support resilient coastal communities.

• BA, Economics, The Evergreen State College, 2013

Justin is a registered Class A Longshoreman in the Port of Seattle, where he works aboard ocean-going cargo ships and operates ship-to-shore container gantry cranes. As a member of International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 19, he has been elected to several offices including the Labor Relations Committee where he represented workers in grievance proceedings and negotiated local collective bargaining agreements. He is interested in international labor policy, the rights of seafarers and longshore workers around the world, and marine spatial planning around ports and marine cargo terminals.

• BS, Mechanical Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2018
• BS, Marine Biology, Univ. of Washington, 2025

Walker is a former Naval Officer turned marine conservationist and scientific diver, with a strong interest in the intersection of science and policy. After completing his post-baccalaureate degree in Marine Biology at the University of Washington, he conducted field research on the release and post-monitoring of captive-bred sunflower sea stars through the Hodin Lab at Friday Harbor Laboratories. His work focused on restoration and habitat use, incorporating scuba surveys and visual transects. Walker also studied eelgrass restoration and designed surveys to support conservation efforts in Puget Sound. He brings teaching experience from both military training and undergraduate education, and is passionate about communicating science clearly and inclusively. At SMEA, he is interested in marine protected areas, the intersection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and collaborative approaches to conservation policy that center both ecosystems and communities.

• BS, Environmental Studies, Univ. of Colorado Boulder, 2024

Despite living in a landlocked state, Josh loved the ocean and was determined to work with it in the future. During his undergraduate studies at CU Boulder, he attended a global seminar in São Paulo Brazil where he got a chance to study the restoration ecology of the Atlantic Rainforest and its local marine habitats firsthand. His global seminar further reaffirmed his passion for marine protection and while continuing his undergraduate degree, found his other interests in natural resource economics and renewable energy. This led him to take an internship with a floating solar company to get a better handle on the business side of renewable energy. He continues to expand his knowledge in the hopes of preserving, protecting, and restoring marine environments.

• BA, Environmental Studies, Minor in Marine Biology, Univ. of Washington, 2021

Justine has a background in environmental studies and is interested in environmental protection regarding our marine environments. She spent a summer at Friday Harbor Laboratory researching Great Blue Heron feeding habitats and interned with Washington Sea Grant to learn more about how to manage invasive European Green Crab along Washington’s shorelines and presented her work to the Western Regional eDNA working group. In addition, she has worked for Senator Trudeau in the Washington State Legislature, providing the driving force behind the senator’s environmental policy work. She is looking forward to learning more about Washington’s marine environment and incorporating her legislative background into the interdisciplinary policy and research curriculum at SMEA.

• BA, Biology, Biomedical Ethics minor, University of San Diego, 2024

Margaret is from San Diego, California where she spends most days at her favorite local beaches and hiking trails. Her love for terrestrial and aquatic animals led her to spend summers and weekends volunteering at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography and the San Diego Humane Society. After finding a passion for spreading awareness about wildlife protection, she became a tour guide at the San Diego Zoo which allowed her to amplify conservation messages to guests visiting from around the world. As an undergraduate, she served on the Associated Student Government as the Sustainability Coordinator where she made a positive impact on the USD campus through resolutions, events, and educational programs. She spent the last year of undergrad researching the impact of drought-induced environmental cues for dispersal and burial responses of the aquatic beetle, Haliplus punctatus, in Pine Valley, CA. She is interested in learning about the Pacific Northwest ecosystems, sustainability strategies, and environmental justice initiatives.

• BS, Marine and Coastal Science, UC Davis, 2019

For the past two years, Sawyer has been an environmental educator on Catalina Island, off the coast of hometown Long Beach, California. At the outdoor education camp, CELP (Catalina Environmental Leadership Program), he engaged middle and high school students in environmental science and community-building by exploring the kelp forest and Mediterranean chaparral ecosystems. He actively guided students through hands-on experiences such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, tidepooling, astronomy, gardening, service work, and of course, camp games. Sawyer is passionate about understanding the relationship between the ocean ecosystem and our human society, seeking to discover how a changing marine biosphere impacts coastal waters and the humans who rely on them.

• BS, Marine Biology, Univ. of Washington, 2023

As life lifelong resident of the Seattle area, Becca’s passion for marine science has been shaped by growing up exploring beaches and tide pools around the Puget Sound. During her senior year as an undergraduate at the University of Washington, she gained research experience as a scientific SCUBA diver at Friday Harbor Laboratories. After graduating in 2023, she spent 2 years working as a NOAA fisheries observer on board fishing vessels in Alaska and along the West Coast. Becca is interested in sustainable fisheries, environmental policy, and data analysis.

• BS, Conservation and Resource Studies Univ. of California, Berkeley, 2024

Emma attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she majored in conservation and resources studies and minored in public policy. While at Berkeley, Emma studied abroad in French Polynesia and Chile to explore different types of sustainability. In Mo’orea, she worked to integrate community members into various ongoing research efforts and initiated an independent project on cyanobacteria that she hopes to return to later in her career. During her time in Chile, she investigated the community of Pucon, attempting to understand how historical factors have and will impact their transition toward a more sustainable future. Overall, she is interested in working toward a sustainable future for marine ecosystems through policy and governance.

• BS, Sociology, Oklahoma State University, 2022

Eliza is from Edmond, Oklahoma, and recently graduated from Oklahoma State University. Her academic interests include the management of coastal environments, especially balancing the demands of fishing and tourism industries with the needs and traditions of local Indigenous peoples. She has a passion for ecological improvements in Oceania and the pacific islands, such as the Philippines. As a recipient of the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship offered by the U.S. Department of Education, she is studying second-year Tagalog this academic year. The combination of an academic background in SMEA and Filipino language training is excellent preparation for a future in public diplomacy and conservation.

• BS, Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, 2021

Throughout her undergraduate career, Clare conducted research in a wildlife ecology lab where she used molecular tools to inform conservation strategies for animal populations threatened by the effects of climate change. For her senior thesis, she collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service to characterize the genetic structure of a translocated grouse population in order to better inform state management efforts for the species. After graduating, she worked in several molecular biology labs, primarily conducting Covid-19 testing and studying the spread of Covid-19 throughout the community. She is now interested in pursuing a career incorporating scientific research into marine policy formation.

• BS, Environmental Science, Life Sciences Communication, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2021

Elle has been a research assistant at UW Madison, where she worked on various environmental entomology projects, including the development of a native nematode bioinsecticide and a study on climate variation impacts on native bumble bees. She has since worked in the development of clinical guidelines and science communication in healthcare. Returning to the environmental field, she hopes to focus on sustainability and climate change mitigation initiatives, particularly those related to policy and law, as well as human-environment interaction.

• BS, Fish and Wildlife Management and Ecology, Montana State University 2020

Amie received a Bachelor of Letters and Sciences in Fish and Wildlife Management and Ecology from Montana State University (MSU). Her experience with the Inland Ocean Coalition (IOC) during her time at MSU sparked an interest in environmental policy. With mentorship from ocean advocates at Ocean Conservancy and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Amie launched the IOC Montana Chapter and advocated for sustainable U.S. fisheries, reduced plastic pollution, and addressing climate change impacts on the ocean. Post-graduation, Amie worked for the United States Senate as a Field Representative for the U.S. Senator Jon Tester and most recently worked as a Program Assistant at NRDC. At NRDC, Amie supported initiatives focused on protecting wildlife, particularly marine mammals. Her work on reducing whale-ship collisions solidified her commitment to a career in marine affairs. To further her goals, Amie is pursuing a master’s in marine affairs at the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA), where she aims to gain the tools necessary for effective advocacy and policymaking focused for ocean protection, specifically marine mammals.

• BA, Political Science, Western Washington University, 2024

Gabby is interested in natural resource policy and governance broadly, and particularly in the sustainable management of Alaska fisheries. She is passionate about equity, justice, and community engagement in environmental decision-making. During her undergraduate career, she advocated for student interests on the WWU President’s Sustainability Council, served as a student liaison to the Bellingham City Council and Whatcom County Council, engaged in research and assessment of campus waste governance, and independently designed and taught an undergraduate course on climate storytelling. She also has post-grad experience in sustainability communications and is excited to apply these varied experiences to her time at SMEA! When she’s not at work or school, she enjoys cycling, fly fishing, knitting, and spending time in her home state of Alaska.

• BS, Biomedical Science, Uni. Of Washington-Tacoma, 2023

During undergrad, Hannia completed an internship position at a veterinary clinic that was joint with a local wildlife rehab center. During this time, she learned about animal health and the influence anthropogenic activities have on local wildlife. Through this experience, she gained an interest in environmental policy and how it can be used to conserve wildlife. Pivoting from a career as a veterinarian, Hannia obtained a student research position at the UW-Tacoma Microplastics Research Laboratory. Additionally, Hannia also obtained a research position at UW-Tacoma’s Urban Marine Ecology Laboratory where she studied how invasive seaweed can be used to engineer bio-based materials. After graduation, Hannia maintained her research assistant position at the Microplastics Research Laboratory. Her work in this lab focused on analyzing the types of microplastics found in the Puget Sound using FTIR spectroscopy. Hannia aspires to use her academic skills in a way that intersects environmental justice and the protection of marine ecosystems. Outside of academia, Hannia enjoys volunteering in community science projects such as Invasive European Green Crab Monitoring, volunteering at her local kitten shelter, and spending time at the beach with her dog.

• BS, Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, 2024

Growing up around the coasts and streams of Western Washington, William’s fascination with aquatic life has led him across the Pacific coast. William majored in aquatic & fishery sciences at the University of Washington, with a capstone focusing on trout population dynamics. After completing his undergraduate studies, he worked for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game in Cordova, collecting data on biological and commercial salmon fisheries. He also worked for King County, helping to evaluate freshwater habitat conditions throughout the greater Seattle area. Working alongside scientists, fishermen, and residents, these experiences led William towards an interest in environmental policy. William is currently interested in how ecological phenomena interact with communities and ways to develop more sustainable policy. In his free time, William enjoys fishing, hiking, and practicing kendo (Japanese fencing).

• BA, International Affairs, James Madison University, 2022

Anna joins UW as a researcher having worked alongside the Gates Foundation, USAID, and the Department of Defense. She has expertise in topics related to international conflict, terrorism, global vaccine access, and human trafficking. It was working on these project topics that she discovered the interconnectedness of climate change to nearly every humanitarian crisis around the world. Thus, she is interested in the intersection of climate change, human rights, and conflict in vulnerable states, as well as ways of creating better policies that address gaps in these areas. In her spare time, she loves to backpack, read, and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as much as possible.

• BS, Environmental Sciences, Central Washington University, 2020

Since graduating in 2020, Erica has mostly worked in non-profit housing agencies serving Kittitas and King County. She primarily focused on providing education and outreach about in-home energy conservation to low income clients and supported them during the process. During her undergrad, Erica worked on research analyzing the presence of microplastics in the Yakima River watershed and remains passionate about that area of research. She also deeply values the importance of communicating scientific topics in a manner that is approachable and easily accessible to people of all backgrounds, noting the need for diversity and inclusion in environmental and marine sciences.

• BS, Biochemistry, Western Washington University 2023

Tessa grew up in Santa Cruz, California, where a love for the ocean was part of local culture. She is a concurrent degree student working towards both an MMA and an MA in International Studies, with a Latin America and Caribbean focus. At WWU, she studied Biochemistry, minored in Spanish, and began her research career in molecular biology studying protein quality control mechanisms with the Dahlberg Lab. She then continued as a Research Scientist with UW’s Kong Lab, investigating cellular signaling pathways in mouse embryogenesis. In merging her background with her passion for protecting the environment, she is bringing her research skills into the world of environmental policy and marine science. She is interested in sustainable coastal development, environmental justice, environmental chemistry, and equitable approaches to blue carbon planning. Tessa also volunteers as a Wildlife Care Assistant with PAWS, has her PADI Open Water certification, and has two cats (named Albacore and Tuna).

• BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Central Washington University 2021

During his undergraduate studies at Central Washington University, Paul found his passion for research. Starting in parasitology labs investigating immune responses, Paul gained further experience and received his grant funding investigating the effects of immune system supplements. Since then, he has worked for the USDA doing crop and field pest monitoring and spent several years in biotech developing stem cell therapies for patients. Seeking to contribute to environmental issues, Paul joins us at SMEA and hopes to learn to apply his passion for biology and research skills to facilitating environmental justice and solving the issues the global ecosystem is facing.

• BA, Environmental Studies, Univ. of Colorado Boulder, 2022

Lia’s ambitions to pursue an environmentally focused career began when she was a student tour guide at the Denver Aquarium, where her interest in marine conservation and ecology piqued. During undergrad, she worked for the Sierra Club as a copy editor, motivating her to write her undergraduate thesis on the importance of outdoor access and the positive effects nature had on people’s mental health during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Post-grad, her work at the Washington Water Science Center has focused on rivers and groundwater, but she’s excited to turn her attention towards bigger bodies of water. Ocean acidification and sea level rise (as well as the mitigation strategies to combat both) are topics she’d like to further explore. She is interested in the intersection between science and policy, wanting to explore how facts and data help form legislation to improve the environment.

• BA, Cultural & Regional Studies, emphasis in Sustainable Community Development Prescott College, 2014

Angela Moncada Hewitson is a bi-racial American woman of British and Mexican descent with over a decade of experience at the intersection of maritime industries and social justice. Her background spans community fisheries research, commercial fishing, maritime education, and sustainable community development. She has led national workforce development initiatives and co-created maritime programs in partnership with community-based organizations, with a focus on racial equity and inclusive access to ocean-related careers. Angela’s expertise includes organizational development and strategic planning within maritime education—encompassing boatbuilding, on-the-water training, and aquaculture. She is passionate about applying decolonized methodologies that bridge traditional ecological knowledge with the best of Western science and technology to build just, resilient coastal futures.

• Highline College AA 2018
• BA, Environmental Studies, Univ of Washington, 2021

Brian has worked in the public and private sectors on climate policy and energy efficiency initiatives, including roles at King County and CLEAResult. His interests lie in advancing environmental justice, coastal community resilience, and inclusive climate solutions through policy, stakeholder engagement, and community-driven research.

• BS, Oceanography and BA, Environmental Studies, University of Washington, 2024

Isaac has experience studying both the science and social science of various oceanic threats to coastal communities, including researching conditions that worsen harmful algal blooms (HABs) along the U.S. West Coast as a University of Southern California REU intern, working with the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program on region-based communication of ocean acidification (OA) impacts and responses as a Hollings Scholar, and working with the Oregon Coastal and Ocean Information Network on outreach and data sovereignty initiatives as an Oregon Sea Grant Summer Scholar. Isaac is interested in turning scientific understanding of anthropogenic threats to coastal communities, especially HABs and OA, into accessible and impactful environmental communication that can inform regional decision-making.

• BA, Geology, Macalester College, 2015

Raised by biologists on an island in the Salish Sea, Alia has since found her way to the Peruvian Andes and the southern Pacific Ocean to do earth science research, spent years guiding whitewater on rivers from California to the Arctic, been a commercial fisher in Alaska, and has worked on environmental films focused on Pacific Northwest salmon recovery and Humpback whale song. She is interested in marine systems, collaborative stewardship, and building resilience in the face of unprecedented socio-ecological change.

• BA, Sustainable Food & Marine Systems, International Studies, East Asian Languages and Cultures, Indiana University, 2023

Marria recently completed a Fulbright research fellowship in Indonesia examining the impacts of coral reef restoration on local livelihoods in Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia. Her previous work has included public diplomacy, outdoor education, and creating a just food system. She is focused on the intersection of people, marine foods, and climate with plans to explore the social dimensions of global fisheries markets amidst a changing environment. At the UW, Marria will work as a research assistant with Dr. Anne Beaudreau in the Coastal Fisheries Ecology Lab.

• BS, Environmental Studies and Political Science, Yale University 2022

Growing up in Portland, Bea’s experiences tidepooling on the Oregon coast sparked her curiosity for the ocean and her commitment to environmental protection. As an undergraduate, Bea pursued a double major that enabled her to explore environmental issues from all angles. She conducted research testing the effects of temperature changes on scyphozoan jellyfish reproduction, writing an environmental studies thesis about jellyfish ecology in a changing ocean. For her political science thesis, Bea analyzed the relationships between democracy and environmental justice through the lens of the Flint, Michigan water crisis. After college, Bea spent two years in Boston at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England regional office, where her work implementing air quality and climate programs gave her a new appreciation for the intricacy of federal environmental policy. Drawn to SMEA’s interdisciplinary approach, Bea hopes to deepen her understanding of the intersections between coastal environments, public policy, and climate justice. Bea is excited to return home to the Pacific Northwest and explore Seattle and the Puget Sound region. She enjoys playing casual soccer, hiking, surfing, cooking, and reading.

• BS, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Univ. of Washington, 2022

During her time as an undergraduate, Hannah worked as an intern on the Northwest Marine Fishery Service’s Black Abalone Recovery Team (BART), assessing population dynamics, climate change impacts, and species conservation strategies. After graduating, she spent a year working as a fish technician at multiple salmon hatcheries for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). In the summer of 2023, she worked in a novel program created by WDFW to study regulation compliance and participation in recreational crustacean fisheries. She worked to educate the public on fishery regulations, collect compliance and biological data through field surveys and participant interviews. After working closely with recreational fisheries in Washington, she realized her passion lies more broadly in water resource management and climate justice. In her graduate schooling, she hopes to learn more about how to equitably and sustainably manage water resources with an emphasis on minimizing the effects of pollution and climate change.

• BS, Environmental Science and Studio Art, Muhlenberg College, 2024

I have strong interests in Marine science and education, and I want to expand my knowledge of policy to create meaningful and lasting change. I have previous experience in freshwater ecology and water treatment, but I wanted to pursue marine environments. I also have a strong passion for art and love to connect my art to my passion for the environment and how it can be used as a tool for learning and inspiring change.

• BS, Biology, Univ. of Puget Sound, 2017

After graduating from the Univ. of Puget Sound in 2017, Sage worked as the Manager of Sustainability & Energy until 2021, when she switched her career over to what she loves most – the marine environment. Sage currently helps operate a Scuba Diving education & travel company, Argonaut Diving in Edmonds, WA. Her job has taken her around the world to study, play, and take photographs of the underworld world. Her interest is in marine recreation and tourism and the effective management of marine resources.

• BS, Biology, Saint Michael's College, 2023

Throughout her undergraduate career, Marissa gathered a variety of marine science experiences. She researched as an REU student at UConn Avery Point & Mystic Aquarium working in a graduate level bivalve physiology lab. While studying abroad in Panama, Marissa participated in a field research project focused on how different coral habitats determine resident fish communities. More recently, Marissa served as an AmeriCorps Aquarium Education Member at Save The Bay in Rhode Island where she was working to communicate marine science information with learners of all ages from the general public and local school groups. She has particular interest in community-based science, the implications of climate change on marine resources, and science communication. Marissa is excited to continue her education through the SMEA program and immerse herself in the Pacific Northwest environment.

• BS, Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, 2023

Olivia earned her Bachelor of Science in Hawaii, where she took part in several research projects and fieldwork opportunities. She was an intern at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology for the Marine Mammal Research Program and helped with photo ID projects for the Hawaii population of spinner dolphins. She also led a directed research project at the University of Hawaii where she analyzed the nutritional profile of multiple native macroalgae species, and with this data, found proof of the nutritional benefits that certain levels of macronutrients in algae can provide for humans and animals. She is interested in the development and implementation of climate change policies, and passionate about combining marine science with public outreach to push towards sustainable practices and environmental recovery.

• BA, Environmental Studies, Univ. of Washington, 2024

Growing up in Juneau, Alaska, Miriam developed a desire to protect marine and terrestrial environments at a young age. Witnessing the dramatic decline of glaciers near her home fueled her passion for understanding environmental systems and the impacts of climate change. Miriam completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in Environmental Studies, with minors in Data Science and Marine Biology. During her undergraduate studies, she researched the impact of invasive European Green Crabs on the size and distribution of native coastal fish along Washington’s coast and explored how citizen science can assist in monitoring their invasion. Additionally, she worked on a National Science Foundation project focused on forecasting climate change impacts on fishery stocks in Alaska and the Arctic. Miriam is interested in the effects of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems and populations, and integrating traditional ecological knowledge into conservation and management strategies.

• BA, Environmental Studies, University of Washington, 2023

Undergraduate education about the environment which had an emphasis on marine ecosystems. Volunteer work performing cleanups at local parks in the Seattle area. I would like to say that I possess extensive knowledge of local waterways, though I will probably be proven wrong by the end of my graduate degree. I am an avid diver and kayaker and spend much of my time on or under the Puget Sound. Naturally, I have learned to identify many of the marine species which dwell in it. I am currently working toward acquiring my scientific diving license so that I can participate in citizen-science based surveying.

• BS, Biology, Ramapo College of New Jersey, 2021

Zoë grew up in the Pacific Northwest with her feet in two places: in Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, WA, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of Coast Salish peoples. She is motivated by the intersections of marine science, eco-justice, and sustainability, with a particular interest in one-water system restoration grounded in ancestral stewardship. As a youth leader with several nonprofits, Zoë has advocated at the federal level and supported other youth leaders worldwide in addressing the triple planetary crisis. Her work centers on elevating Indigenous knowledge systems, reimagining hatchery practices to support the long-term resilience of Pacific salmon, and advancing restoration strategies that are both scientifically rigorous and culturally respectful. At SMEA, she seeks to deepen her understanding of marine science and policy while building collaborative, equity-rooted solutions that promote both ecological resilience and cultural continuity.

• BS, Biology with an emphasis in Marine Science, Western Washington University, 2022

Haley has been working as an observer in Dutch Harbor for the past year, where she contributed to NOAAs data pool for the Alaskan Ground-fish Fishery. As an observer, her overarching goal was to support and monitor the safety, sustainability and conservation of Alaskan fisheries. On the daily, she collected population data, fish specimens, observed marine mammal and seabird behavior, and identified the vessels catch and bycatch. Haley worked and lived on 5 vessels in the past year. This experience has piqued her interests in the policy process and conservation economics. How can we realistically create and support more sustainable and eco-conscious fisheries, communities, and lifestyles?

• BA English + Film Studies, Stanford University, 2016.
• BS (post-baccalaureate) Marine Biology, University of Washington, 2025

After graduating from Stanford University in 2016 with a humanities background, Kylie worked in the tech industry as a communications professional for six years. In 2022, she decided to shift her career path to pursue a lifelong dream of ocean conservation, science, and policy. She returned to school to develop a science background and field experience through coursework and working on vessels. At SMEA, she hopes to combine her interests in writing, wildlife conservation, and environmental policy. Kylie’s interests lie in marine ecology and coastal resource management issues such as pollution and erosion.

• BA, Environmental Studies, University of Washington, 2023

Elise is passionate about the opportunity for natural resource management frameworks to be used for environmental justice and community development in coastal communities. In pursuit of this work, she believes that empowering communities to share in the governance, use, and access of their natural resources is essential in promoting social justice and environmental sustainability. During her undergraduate studies, she interned with NOAA Fisheries to bridge the gap between stakeholders and NOAA in the California Central Valley, where resource management must consider water scarcity, threatened and endangered species, and urban water supply. Elise also studied abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica, where she learned from local farmers and fishers about the impacts of resource management strategies on their livelihoods, businesses, and natural environment. After a year of teaching English in Madrid, Spain, Elise is excited to return to the PNW and continue to learn and grow as a student and budding researcher at SMEA!

• BA, Environmental Studies and Spanish, Gonzaga University, 2021

Jane has a range of professional experience relating to the field of sustainability and environmental policy. She has helped a local winery secure their B Corp certification, campaigned with Idaho Conservation League to advocate for dam removal and salmon restoration in the Snake River, and educated homeowners and builders about Washington’s green building certification program. She is passionate about the interdisciplinary nature of environmental work and looks forward to learning more about adoption of environmental policies, best management practices for coastal resources, and marine law.

• BS, Environmental Science, Duke Kunshan University 2024

Ally has been working closely with marine-focused NGOs and conducting fieldwork in many coastal provinces in China. She participated in several environmental projects, including the coastal fishery improvement project in Qingdao, sustainable transition of coastal fisheries in Qinzhou and Beihai, and the community-based conservation of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Ally is interested in the sustainable management of fisheries and the roles of communities in the governance of marine ecosystems.