• BS, Natural Resource Conservation, Global Perspectives, University of British Columbia

While earning her undergraduate degree, Amanda completed research on marine invertebrate spatial distribution at the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station and on ratfish locomotion at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Her findings from both of these projects were published in peer-reviewed journals. Simultaneously, she volunteered as a lab educator for the Vancouver Aquarium and as a troop leader for the Girl Guides of Canada. Amanda has also worked as a Divemaster in Fiji and is an avid traveler, having been to 48 countries on 6 continents. Her international experiences and interdisciplinary education have inspired her interest in the socio-ecological dynamics of marine protected areas. She is especially engaged with how spatial scales of management and community perceptions impact the outcomes of ecological objectives.

• BS, Biology, University of California, San Diego

Hannah has a background in the marine natural sciences, but her passion for understanding the complete picture of marine resource use and management lead her to the innately interdisciplinary field of fisheries science. Hannah’s general research interests revolve around how small-scale fisheries can be best studied and managed to ensure sustainability of both the natural and human components of the system. Specifically, she is interested in how small-scale fisheries are assessed to inform balanced, appropriate, and holistic management as well as how human values affect the adoption and ultimate success of management measures. Currently, Hannah acts as Research Assistant for Professor Eddie Allison, Project Coordinator for the Small-scale and Artisanal Fisheries Research Network, or SAFRN, and as a consultant and scientific diver for Sirenas Marine Discovery, a group focused on development of anti-cancer medicines inspired by the chemistry of simple marine organisms.

• BA, Geography & Environmental Studies, Middlebury College

After graduating from college in 2014, Henry decided to sail to the Caribbean with the purpose of studying marine debris and shark populations. He partnered with a friend, and their research project expanded into a six-month sailing journey centered around the filming of an environmental adventure documentary. More recently, Henry sailed as a marine policy instructor in 2016 and 2018 on SEA Semester’s research expeditions to Kiribati’s remote Phoenix Islands Protected Area, the world’s largest and deepest UNESCO World Heritage Site. Henry has also spent time working in the solar and outdoor gear industries, but his biggest passions lie within the world of marine research and conservation, particularly on the international stage and in the South Pacific.

• BS, Biology & Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dave fell in love with the underwater world while learning to SCUBA dive in the Galápagos, while working as an animal conservation volunteer on San Cristóbal island. When he returned to the states, he began guiding teenagers on international community service trips at animal refuge centers in Costa Rica. Those trips also including surfing, ziplining, rafting, and SCUBA diving in Belize. He then became a registered Maine guide, an L3 whitewater canoe instructor, a wilderness first responder, and a swift water rescuer in order to take teenagers on lengthy canoe and backpacking trips in Maine. He spent one year writing science stories for PBS NewsHour out of Alexandria, VA, and is currently the assistant program manager and assistant tripping director at Wavus Camp for Girls in Jefferson, Maine. He is passionate about spreading the beauty and wonder of nature to others in hopes of sparking desires to care for the planet we live on, for the species we rarely see, or the ones we have yet to see. He is dedicated to giving a voice to the species who can’t speak for themselves, and to preserving as much of this wonderful world as he can for future generations to enjoy and respect. He is so excited to join like-minded and dedicated individuals at SMEA, and to explore the beautiful PNW!”

• BA, Linguistics, Environmental Studies, Economics, University of Kansas

At age 19 Kristina worked for the local CBS affiliate in Kansas City (KCTV) where she created, produced and hosted a weekly public affairs television program geared towards the interests of teenagers. Along with her triple major from KU, Kristina also has a minor in Film and Media Studies. She devotes much of her free time to film research (with a particular emphasis on female filmmakers). In 2013 Kristina worked as an Energy Performance Coordinator on a project at the University of Kansas, where she developed a unique grading system designed to encourage campus faculty and staff to use less energy. When she is not traveling (her most favorite pastime), Kristina spends most of her time in various yoga or circus arts classes, rock climbing or simply staying inside with her two special-needs kitties.

• BS, Science of Earth Systems, Cornell University

Katy most recently worked for PISCO at the University of California, Santa Cruz, monitoring both subtidal and intertidal ecosystems along the Californian coast. Previously, she worked in marine ecology labs (UMass Boston, Shoals Marine Lab), and participated in internships at both Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. This interdisciplinary background gave her a strong foundation in marine science and an introduction to the bridge between marine science and policy. Katy will explore resource management through the lens of climate change.

• BS, Biological Sciences; Minor, Chemistry, Indiana University South Bend

Chris has been influential in an array of research topics from ovarian cancer development to the effect of warming waters on marine invertebrates. Chris has also done user trend research to determine how people interacted online with Openlands, a Land Trust based in Chicago. Chris recently completed a year at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum as a Public Program Interpreter, where he educated guests on the specific environmental issues facing the Chicago region and discussed what mitigations civilians can make to offset these problems. Having grown up in southwest Florida, Chris is excited to return to an (albeit very different) marine environment and learn how to communicate a different set of problems and solutions. He is passionate about creating new opportunities for people to connect to nature and is very interested in the role social class plays in shaping opinions around marine life and sustainability.

• BA, Biology, Carleton College

Emily has been an environmental and science educator, working at an experiential learning center in the north woods of Minnesota, The Northwest School in Seattle, the University of Washington’s Burke Museum of Natural History, the Seattle Audubon Society, and the Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership in Midcoast Maine. She has also worked as a research and field technician for the Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the National Ecological Observatory Network. Emily is passionate about science communication and building positive and sustainable human-ecological relationships. She hopes to be involved in research that can be directly applied to conservation decision-making and is particularly interested in the interactions that occur at the interface of the marine and terrestrial environment to connect these two distinct ecosystems and influence their health and function.

• BS, Environmental Science, Western Washington University

Katie grew up in Washington and moved to the Central Coast of California after finishing her undergraduate degree in 2018. There she worked for the City of Carmel in the Environmental Compliance and Forestry departments. She assisted with storm water quality management in Areas of Special Biological Significance and conducted GPS tree surveys to create an interactive GIS map to be used by the City. While in Monterey she also had the opportunity to volunteer with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA. As an undergraduate, she interned with the Whatcom Land Trust in the Stewardship department performing ecological restoration and conservation site monitoring. She is interested in PNW salmon conservation, restoration ecology, and effective environmental management in response to climate change.

• BA, Biology-Environmental Studies, Whitman College

As an undergraduate, Chris worked as a research assistant studying the health of a native grass population in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem in Eastern Washington. Following graduation, he worked as a volunteer with NOAA and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to study methods of rearing larval lamprey in order to promote the health of Pacific Lamprey in the Columbia Basin.

• BA, Organismal Biology & Ecology, Colorado College

Growing up in Alaska gave Katy a natural affinity for wild spaces and environmental conservation, but it wasn’t until she learned to SCUBA dive that she began to develop a passion for marine ecology and conservation. Since finishing undergrad, Katy has worked for an environmental nonprofit and an avalanche safety and education nonprofit. Katy has traveled and volunteered all over the world, and hopes to extend that international focus to her career. With a background in biology and field research combined with a degree from SMEA, Katy is excited to work as the link between marine science and policy implementation.

• BA, Economics, New York University

Patrick is interested in developing and implementing effective marine resource management and policy practices. He most recently spent the summer as a graduate intern at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County, Washington working on project management and portfolio planning and analysis. Prior to moving to Seattle, Patrick worked in Wind Asset Management at Invenergy, a renewable energy company, and over five years in structured finance at US Bank in Chicago. He’s excited to be back in school and in his free time enjoys biking, volleyball, and board games.

• BA, Environmental Analysis, Pomona College

Charlotte worked for a consulting company in Oakland, California, supporting clients working on marine and coastal conservation and resource management. As a consultant, her work included conducting social science research to inform strategic planning, program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and other services. Prior to Blue Earth, Charlotte worked for a climate policy organization, shellfish restaurants, and as a field technician in Alaska. Her undergraduate thesis focused on community-based fisheries management. Charlotte is interested in learning more about climate adaptation and resilience for coastal communities and sustainable management of coastal resources.

• MPA, California State University East Bay; BS, Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences & Conservation Biology, University of Washington

Cody has been an active duty Coast Guard officer since 2007. His previous tours of duty include Deck Watch Officer on the CGC MELLON (WHEC 717) home ported in Seattle, WA; Operations Officer aboard CGC WALNUT (WLB 205) home ported in Honolulu, HI where he conducted Aids to Navigation and Fisheries Enforcement operations. From 2011 to 2013, he was stationed in Alameda, CA within the PACAREA/11th District Command Center where he stood duty as a Command Duty Officer, Search and Rescue Controller and Law Enforcement Duty Officer. From 2013 to 2014, he was selected to serve as the 11th Districts Living Marine Resource Officer where he focused on improving training, building partnerships and shaped fisheries operations throughout the district. In 2014, he received orders to be the Executive Officer for CGC ELM (WLB 204) home ported in Atlantic Beach, NC. Upon completion of his Executive officer tour in 2016, he was assigned as Commanding Office of CGC GEORGE COBB (WLM 564) homeported in San Pedro, CA.

• JD, Law; BA, English, University of Illinois

Louis is a native of the Chicago area, and was first exposed to marine policy issues during law school. After his second year of law school, Louis interned with the Alaska section of the NOAA Office of General Counsel, where he first worked with marine and fisheries policy. At school, he took classes on environmental and administrative law that focused on international trade, food issues, and Marine Protected Areas. As part of the law school’s Environmental Law Clinic, he was lucky to work with Costa Rican lawyers to create potential fisheries policy reforms based on US regulatory experiences. At SMEA, Louis hopes to study how policy can be used to foster sustainable fisheries growth, and to develop a better understanding of fisheries and ocean science as it relates to marine policy making.

• BS, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington

Alanna is interested in the intersection between marine science, policy, and communication. As an undergraduate she researched the impacts of low pH on stress related gene expression in the Olympia oyster to discern the effects of ocean acidification on marine invertebrates.  In advancing science communication efforts throughout UW and the broader community, she co-founded FieldNotes, an undergraduate research journal, and Earth Tones, a podcast about humans and the environment. She is also involved with NOAA’s marine parasitology research, where she dissects lingcod to understand how urban development has led to changing parasite assemblages along the west coast.

• BS, Environmental Science; Minor, Global Engagement, University of Washington, Tacoma

Ryan is an entrepreneur that developed a couple of small businesses before returning to school. His undergrad thesis was published, which investigated the ecological effects of concentrate waste from desalination plants. With a background in environmental science, he seeks to utilize that scientific knowledge as a policymaker, protecting ecosystems and species from the constant encroachment and exploitation of unsustainable economic pursuits. At SMEA, he is eager to research the industries that harm species and destroys vital habitat, such as marine sand mining, to find sustainable management solutions. He is also developing his future business of environmental consulting, seeking to provide beneficial ecological solutions, economic savings, and regulation compliance.

• BS, Sustainability, Arizona State University

Despite being a Sonoran Desert native, Bridget has always loved the ocean. During her undergrad studies at ASU, she joined the Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) as a research intern. Through DCDC she cooperated with the Nature Conservancy on an urban watershed project in the City of Phoenix. She also has international research experience, such as her summers studying wave energy harvesting with the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. Most recently, she completed a two-year Fulbright ETA grant on Jeju Island, South Korea where she worked in a Korean public-school teaching about American culture and environment. Her greatest interest is learning how the balance of human relationships with nature can lead to better, more resilient uses of marine resources.

• BS, Zoology, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Since 2016 Jenna has been working for NOAA Alaskan Fisheries Science Center at their Marine Mammal Lab doing marine mammal acoustics research and data analysis. Here she has gained experience in data analysis using MATLAB, report editing, working with acoustical equipment in the lab and on the ships used for fieldwork. Before this, she did wildlife rehabilitation on San Juan Island, WA. She is interested in marine mammal acoustics and behavior, and how marine pollutants such as noise from boats or underwater machinery are affecting marine mammals. Also, how climate change and human interactment will affect these marine species. She’s also interested in how eDNA is used as a non-invasive tool to identify cetaceans and their habitats. Specifically how it’s being used to study the southern resident killer whale population.

• BS, Environmental Studies, University of Southern California

Brittany is a Seattle area native whose love for environmental education was ignited while volunteering at the Seattle Aquarium throughout high school and into college. While living in LA she worked as an MPA intern at Santa Monica-based nonprofit Heal the Bay, where she split her time between gathering transact data at local MPA sites and working on public outreach programs. After graduating USC, she worked as an Environmental Planner at ICF International before moving to San Francisco where she worked at Pottery Barn’s corporate HQ as an Inventory Planner. She is passionate about science literacy, particularly educating the public on climate change and its impact on marine ecosystems. She hopes to find ways to make complex scientific ideas more digestible for the general public to foster innovative sustainability solutions and empower our communities to think green.

• BS, Environmental Science, Loyola University Chicago

As an undergraduate, Abby held a Mulcahy Research Fellowship where she focused on sediment toxicology and benthic organisms in the Chicago River. After graduating and moving back to her home state of Alaska she spent the last two years as a staff scientist in environmental consulting researching, reporting, and sampling contaminated sites on military installations. Working in remote areas, especially coastal zones, sparked her interest in how resources are managed in Alaska and beyond. She is excited to learn more about coastal zone, ecosystem, and resource management as well as climate change and adaption strategies, especially for coastal arctic communities.

• BS, Marine Science, Biology, Coastal Carolina University

Within his primary major, Logan completed an Honors thesis as part of Coastal Carolina’s Sand Biogeochemistry Group on intertidal biofilms. He also assisted with recording and tagging sharks in Winyah Bay, South Carolina, as a volunteer with the CCU Shark Program. Outside of class, Logan was a legislator and organizer on campus, as well as a math and science tutor. These experiences caused a shift towards pursuing a future in science policymaking and/or education. Since graduation, Logan has become certified to substitute teach in his birth county, mentored boys at his former high school, and worked to better his home state through the WV Can’t Wait gubernatorial campaign.

• BS, Biology and Marine Sciences, College of William & Mary

Before coming to UW, Stuart worked for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science studying the Cobia (Rachycentrum canadum) and Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) fisheries, and completed a capstone project at the Misali Island Marine Conservation Area researching the interplay between artisanal fishermen, regulations, and fish community health. He has completed fieldwork in Virginia, Honduras, Zanzibar, and in his home state of Texas.

• BS, Accountancy, University of Illinois

Benjamin is a graduate student with the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies. He spent the prior year in the Brazilian Amazon, studying and conducting field research with a Boren Fellowship. Within the field of Political Ecology, he seeks to empower local, traditional, and indigenous involvement in conservation and development planning including alternative/decolonial pathways. In the past, Benjamin has served in a national leadership role with the Sierra Club, completed an AmeriCorps term in environmental restoration, and volunteered in environmental education with the Seattle Aquarium. In beginning his studies at SMEA, he is shifting his focus from forest landscapes to coastal concerns with particular interest in the dynamics of extractivist reserves found on the Atlantic coast of Pará (Brazilian Amazon).

• BA, Biology, Haverford College

Abby graduated from Haverford College in 2017 with a degree in biology and environmental studies. She fell in love with marine ecology at Haverford and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution while exploring the functional characteristics of coral and whale microbiomes, and she most recently worked as a research assistant in a deep sea ecology lab at Temple University in Philadelphia. Here she was fortunate enough to study ecosystems sustained by cold seeps along the Cascadia Margin, coral and canyon habitats in the off-shore mid-Atlantic, and—most formatively—seamounts within the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA). In PIPA, she was captivated by its multi-dimensional and holistic approach to conservation that addressed the intrinsic value of the ecosystem while protecting the rights and livelihoods of people most affected by its use. She is hoping to continue to study the ocean with a more integrative scope by preserving its ecosystems and the economic, social, and human systems to which they are inherently tied.

• BS, Marine & Environmental Science, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

TJ graduated the US Coast Guard Academy in 2012, and was an active duty Coast Guard Officer for 6 years. He has served as a Deck Watch Officer aboard a Medium Endurance Cutter conducting law enforcement patrols across Eastern Pacific from the Bering Sea down to the Panama Canal, as a Command Duty Officer directing Search and Rescue operations in Southeast Alaska, and at the National Strike Force Coordination Center in North Carolina supporting the Coast Guard’s oil spill and hazardous materials response mission. He is excited to be a part of such an interdisciplinary program utilizing skills from a variety of fields to develop environmental solutions.

• BS, Environmental Science, Univ. of Washington Tacoma

Corey is a retired Marine Science Technician from the United States Coast Guard, where he conducted pollution prevention and safety inspections of commercial facilities and vessels, as well as investigated and responded to marine pollution incidents.  He participated in research at the University of Washington into the nutrient loading causes of harmful algal blooms, as well as the ecological impact of legacy heavy metal pollution, in South Puget Sound area lakes.  He was also an Environmental Specialist for the Washington State Department of Ecology, overseeing the response to several hundreds of oil and hazardous material spills throughout Western Washington.  He is interested in the fate and transport of anthropogenic contaminants and their impact on freshwater and estuarine ecosystems.

• BS, Environmental Sciences, Univ. of California, Berkeley

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Samantha spent six months working on a research project assessing the impacts of roads on bat communities in northeastern Thailand. Then returned home to work on various marine biodiversity projects as a research assistant at the University of Hong Kong, including most recently doing data collection and analysis for a survey of Hong Kong mangrove forests. She is passionate about studying the impacts of coastal development on near-shore marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. She is deeply inspired by grassroots land justice and environmental justice movements in Hong Kong.

• BS, Biology; Minor, French Language, Trinity College

As an undergraduate student, Elise worked in an electric fish lab, studying the effects of the stress of predation on brain cell proliferation. Through studying animal physiology, she discovered an interest in aquatic locomotion. She worked as an education and conservation intern at the Mystic Aquarium, and participated in a project that resulted in the designation of the New England Coral Canyons and Seamounts as a Marine National Monument. She is interested in the way in which policy decisions and governmental opinions affect marine environmental education. She is also interested in the way in which policy decisions are communicated to local communities, and ways in which decisions can be made that are environmentally sustainable and community minded.

• BSc, Marine Biology & Creative Writing, Dalhousie University

As an undergrad, Sallie tried her hand in paleontology and studied how a species of ostracod failed to evolve in the Carboniferous and went extinct, while writing poetry about small-scale fisher people losing their fishing rights. After graduating in 2017, she returned to Hong Kong to work as a research assistant for a project looking at biodiversity in a harbor impacted by human activities. During this time, her interest in small-scale fisheries remained as her love for paleontology waned. So now she is fully committed to being a feminist marine scientist and hopes to explore how equity and sustainable development can be achieved by including responses to the specific needs of marginalized fishers in policy and management strategies.

• BS, Biochemistry and Biology (Marine Biology and Limnology), San Francisco State University

James was a research technician for two years at San Francisco State University’s Estuary & Ocean Science Center, where he was involved with restoration projects in salt marsh and eelgrass bed ecosystems. He led a group of activists in his hometown whose actions successfully halted efforts by Cargill to pave over and develop large swaths of important wetlands. As an older, non-traditional student, he is passionate about diversity and equity in STEM and in science that directly engages and empowers underserved communities. He is interested in the health of eelgrass bed ecosystems in the face of rising temperatures and ocean acidification, and the role that restoration work should play in preserving ecosystem health.

• PhD, English, UC Irvine. MFA, Creative Writing, UC Irvine. BS, Biology, UC Irvine

Before coming to UW, Jenny taught English and environmental studies at Northwest Indian College and worked in rural Idaho as a watershed restoration specialist for the Nez Perce Tribe.  Jenny works at the confluence of ecological restoration, science and technology studies, and the green humanities. She is currently a Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center fellow and her current research seeks to develop coho restoration and conservation strategies that are durable to climate change.

• BS, Biology-Conservation and Ecology, Arizona State University

Christina helped launch a currently running program called Natura@ASU before interning with the Arizona Game and Fish Department-Fisheries Research Branch on the Colorado River, where the focus was on fisheries management and repopulating endangered, native species. She has also worked for a commercial fishing company gaining an understanding of the maritime industry and fishing regulations. Christina is interested in understanding what rules govern human-coastal interactions domestically and internationally, in order to help create healthy, sustainable interactions between society and the marine environment.

• BS, Environmental Science, Marine ecology emphasis; Minor, Spanish, Western Washington University

Susannah is passionate about both conservation and sustainability that focuses on equitable distribution of resources for underrepresented communities. She wants to learn how to bridge the gap between scientific research and legislation to implement environmental policies that will benefit ecosystems and minority communities. She studied abroad in Bocas del Toro, Panama. There she focused not only on climate change’s effect on marine ecosystems but also the influence of a rising tourism industry within a small community. She is particularly interested in how to reconcile community needs with a changing ocean and ever limited resources.

• BA, Biology and German Literature, Kenyon College

After finishing her bachelors Elizabeth spent a year teaching in Erfurt, Germany through the Fulbright Fellowship, but decided she wanted to focus on biology and conservation when she returned. For the last two years, I’ve spent the summer seasons working for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife checking the catches of private and commercial fishermen. Elizabeth is interested in bridging the gap between science, the making of policy, and the public’s understanding of these processes. Ultimately she’d like to focus on how to best balance the needs of fisheries and people’s desires to use them.

• BS, Meteorology, Texas A&M University

Prior to starting at SMEA, Megan worked as a researcher at the University of Washington studying how human emitted air pollutants alter our climate. Motivated to communicate the importance of her research with policymakers, Megan also worked in government affairs at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory where she began learning effective science communication strategies. During her time at SMEA, Megan hopes to expand her abilities in science communication and master the art of policy analysis to one day influence legislative action on climate change.

• BS, Biology; Minor, Chemistry, Western Washington University

Jon grew up in the PNW and has worked in fishery observer programs since 2000. He currently manages the Fisheries Observation Science Program for NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center. His love of the ocean solidified while working as an observer on the west coast of the US where he worked alongside commercial fishers and experienced firsthand how amazing the marine environment can be. Jon is excited to bring his practical knowledge of fisheries monitoring and management into the classroom and has interest in learning more about marine policy, economics, and law to make him a more effective scientist and manager. His goal is to have a positive impact on healthy oceans and strong coastal communities over his career in public service.

• BA, Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley

Hanna has worked as a Coastal Program Analyst for the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, where she evaluated proposed projects affecting the Bay for conformity with applicable environmental laws and the Commission’s policies, in order to minimize their impacts and maximize public access to and along the water. While at UC Berkeley she held the position of Waster Audit Coordinator with the Campus Recycling and Refuse Services, and led a grant funded project to develop a novel Waste Audit Protocol. She has interned and conducted research in a variety of lab settings at UC Berkeley, Scripps Research Institute, and the University of Washington. She has been involved in community outreach and education related to marine life and conservation since high school, through volunteer work with the Seymour Discovery Center at UCSC’s Long Marine Lab, Save Our Shores, and various other organizations. Hanna is interested in applied marine ecology and resource management.

• BSc, Zoology (Hons.), University of Edinburgh

Manjari has had a diverse range of experiences in Biological Sciences, Conservation Science, Public Outreach, Climate Change & Sustainability advisory services. After completing her undergraduate studies, she interned at the Wildlife Institute of India. There, she worked on the aquatic aspect of the National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) project which dealt with the effect of Climate Change on fish and macrovertebrate distribution and biology. She then went on to intern at Sparklework Films, a documentary production company. Here, she assisted in the pre-production research and show flow of the “Special Operations: India” series on the History Channel. This past year, she has been working as an analyst at the Climate Change & Sustainability Department of KPMG, a “Big 4” consulting firm. Her projects dealt with climate change analysis and planning along with sustainability reporting and assurance. Manjari is also interested in martial arts (Japanses Jiu Jitsu), music (Piano) and Japanese anime.

• BS, Biology (Ecology, Evolution, Conservation); BA, Classical Studies; Minor, Latin, University of Washington

Sarah works in the environmental consulting industry as a natural resources and fisheries biologist. She is interested in restoration ecology, conservation of Pacific salmon, forage fish, and quantifying and prioritizing restoration actions, among other things. She likes solving problems regarding sensitive aquatic species and resources using creativity and technical expertise. She especially likes field work, being outside, and handling fish, in addition to hiking, crabbing, climbing, bushwhacking, running, and soccer in her free time.

• BS, Marine & Conservation Biology, Seattle University

Angela graduated from Seattle University in 2017 with a degree in marine and conservation biology. During her undergraduate years, she did research on local adaptations of organisms found along the Duwamish waterway (a Seattle SUPERFUND site) as well as work on genomic quantification and variation of crustaceans. Last year, she served as an AmeriCorps service member in Bellingham, WA where she managed two elementary school gardens and taught lessons about food production, nutrition, and environmental stewardship. Angela is passionate about ensuring fisheries are operated in a sustainable way and is excited to explore how policy and regulation can be realistically implemented to protect both human and ecological interests.

• BA, Integrative Biology, Harvard University

Nick has worked as an educator at Birch Aquarium in San Diego, and he hopes to study current methods of restoring balance to ecosystems affected by unsustainable anthropogenic use. He is also interested in studying the way modern ocean management strategies affect different types of stakeholders.

• BS, Biology, Seattle University

During Corinne’s time at Seattle University she worked in the SAFS lab at UW studying fish food web ecology using isotope data in the Tonle Sap, off the Mekong River in Cambodia. This experience sparked her interest in fisheries management and how human health and nutrition can be supported by aquaculture and healthier ecosystems. After graduating she worked for the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, an environmental profit, doing restoration work, trail maintenance, and leading volunteer events throughout the Middle Fork natural area. Through these experiences Corinne has interest in connecting her passion for science, healthy ecosystems, and fish to policy and communication to better the economies and livelihoods of developing nations.

• BS, Marine, Estuary, Freshwater Biology, University of New Hampshire

While at University of New Hampshire, Jess worked in a cyanobacteria lab studying the effects of BMAA (Beta-N-Methal Amino-L-Alanine) and microcystin in lake environments. This included the impact of cyanotoxins in local food chains and the consequence of cyanobacteria blooms on human populations. After college she worked at New England Aquarium helping out in their quarantine facility, getting hands on experience with a large array of animals. She is interested in conservation and learning how to improve public involvement in species protection and environmental sustainability.

• Master of Environmental Studies, University of Tokyo; Bachelor of Marine Science, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

Taiki majored in fish population dynamics at both Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, as well as University of Tokyo, where he received his master’s degree. He focused on fish stocks such as Pacific chub mackerel. He has worked in the Fisheries Agency of Japan, and at the Resources Management Promotion Office, where he actively coordinated with the relevant fishing industry stakeholders and 40 prefectural governments to develop and revise resource management guidelines and implementation plans to promote co-management between fishing communities and the government. Since April 2016, he’s engaged in bilateral fisheries consultations between Japan and Pacific islands countries concerning conditions and fees for Japanese tuna fishers in the EEZs of these nations. He also participated in multilateral negotiations such as Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to manage internationally shared fish species. Taiki is interested in sustainable use of fishery resources and eager to improve his practical analysis and management skills, in particular on marine policy, fish resource economics and fish stock assessment.

• BA, Psychology, University of Washington. BS, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington

Amy is a laboratory specialist in the Conservation Programs and Partnerships department of the Seattle Aquarium. Since 2014, she has assisted with a wide variety of research projects ranging from water quality, marine mammal endocrinology, reef surveys to microplastics. She conducts seasonal rockfish surveys throughout Puget Sound using SCUBA and monthly hikes out on the Washington coast to collect sea otter foraging data. She is interested in climate change impacts to either sea otter prey items or coral reef systems and microplastics pollution in the marine environment.

• BA, Environmental Studies, University of Washington

Karin is passionate about engaging children and young adults in interactive marine debris education to fall in love with ocean, exercise critical thinking skills, and inspire their creativity to envision innovative solutions. In 2014, she and her parents established the non-profit organization, Islands4Kids, an online platform focusing on marine debris education for children and their families. Several times a year, they conduct marine debris research at Ocean Shores, WA. While carrying out a general beach clean-up, they collect Asian debris that may have been carried over by the North Pacific Gyre to illustrate the international scale of the issue. During her nearly three years of working at the Kiddie Academy daycare center, she has also prepared outreach brochures, lessons, and activities on marine debris and plastic pollution for children ages 2 to 10 years old. She is interested in delving into regulations for reducing the input of trash into the ocean and effectively communicating plans of action across diverse communities and families.

• BS, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences & Oceanography, University of Washington

Kalloway has been working as a marine biologist for an environmental consulting firm based in Seattle where he conducts geoduck biomass estimates to be used by WA state agencies and Pacific Northwest tribes to sustainably co-manage the local geoduck fishery. He enjoys fieldwork and has participated in a variety of projects involving subtidal surveys and sampling using SCUBA, fish trawling, hydrology sampling, exclusion cage experiments, and plankton collection. He aims to strengthen the bridge between the scientific community and policy makers in order to more effectively protect marine ecosystems. He is interested in the ecology of temperate marine habitats in a changing environment; specifically the role kelp forests play in the Puget Sound ecosystem and its reliant goods and services.

• BS, Biology, University of Oregon

Marissa has worked in many different fisheries related jobs. They include observing with the West Coast Groundfish Catch Shares Program, marine endangered species observing on the East Coast, seasonal work with WDFW centered on recreational fisheries/hatchery work. Most recently, she’s been employed with ODFW monitoring the commercial groundfish fishery. Substitute teaching is another thing she does when she’s able. What Marissa wants to work on most is developing my communication skills to effectively educate people in natural resource management issues. This will allow her to create effective resource policies. In Marissa’s personal time she enjoys sailing, scuba diving, hiking, knitting, and travelling.

• BS, Marine Engineering, Yildiz Technical University

Murat worked on Bulk carrier and Ro-Ro vessels’ engine department as a marine engineer. During his university studies, he had an opportunity to attend ballast water management technologies project supporting by The Scientific and Technologies Research Council of Turkey within the scope of the Ballast Water Management Convention which was adopted by the International Maritime Organization and by means of this project he recognized the impacts of human dimension on marine environment and importance of marine policy processes. In his future career, he plans to involve marine policy processes, focusing equally on both environmental and economic concerns.

• BA, Anthropology, Minor, Environmental Policy and Analysis, University of California-Davis

Lindsey has worked as an Environmental Scientist at a consulting firm since 2017, where she works primarily with storm water pollution prevention, sustainability, and business development. While at UC Davis, she developed her own honors thesis on sea otter narrative use by Pacific coast wildlife facilities, and how this impacts their conservation. A research assistant to two professors at UC Davis, she has worked extensively with anti-fracking policy and advocacy, national and international climate change networks, and indigenous forestry management. She is primarily interested in effective coastal marine policy and conservation, phenomena such as charismatic megafauna and how this impacts conservation efforts, stakeholder conflicts within species conservation movements, and joint efforts/networking between conservation organizations such as aquariums, non-profits, and NGOs. Her ultimate goal is to work within the sea otter field as a social scientist and/or conservation advocate.

• BA, Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity; Minor, Forensic Entomology, University of California-Davis

Daniel graduated from University of California-Davis in 2018 with a BA in Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity. Prior to pursuing higher education he worked as a construction carpenter. During his undergraduate career he interned in the Grosholz lab at Davis where he assisted in assessing biomass of invasive shore grasses in the San Francisco wetlands. He was also selected to participate in SLOFIST-2017, a multi-disciplinary fire-related death training program, as a student forensic entomologist. Daniel’s particular area of interest is in assessing the potential ecological and economical impacts climate change may have on the established migratory routes of highly-migratory commercial fishes. He’s also keen on analyzing the factors that contribute to failures in conservation practices, and how they can be quantified and addressed.

• BA, Anthropology, University of North Texas

Alexander became enamored with human ecology after taking environmental anthropology classes during his undergraduate years of study. Combined with a passion for travel, he also spent some time teaching English in Mongolia and most recently Japan. In Japan he spent some time volunteering at a local fishery that practiced raising, releasing, and cultivating different local and national fish. Alexander also spent time talking with local fishermen, particularly on the topics of climate change and how it will affect the various businesses relying on the ocean. This spurred an even greater interest in human ecology, resulting in his desire to focus on international environmental policy and resource management while at SMEA.

• BS, Environmental Science, University of Wisconsin—Madison

After graduation, Abby decided to take a couple years to travel and volunteer abroad. While working as a Research Assistant Volunteer with the non-profit Reef Doctor in Madagascar, she conducted reef surveys to study changes in benthic, invertebrate, and fish populations prior to and after MPA implementation. Witnessing the challenges facing the fishing village and coming to understand the complexities of managing protected areas urged her to focus her studies on the human dimensions of MPAs.

• BA, Biology, Seattle Pacific University

Debbie grew up fishing with her dad in the Pacific Northwest and is excited to return to the saltwater after working in a microbiology lab. She is interested in effective management and restoration of salmon fisheries in the Puget Sound as well as public education/outreach and collaboration with tribal remediation projects.

• BS, Organismal Biology, Christopher Newport University

Most recently I have been working as a job recruiter for a variety of clients in the life science, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries. I would love to take the skills I have learned in that position and apply them to marine management, especially regarding marine protected areas and tourism.  I believe tourism and outdoor recreation is imperative to getting people to care about the environment because that is exactly what inspired me. My trips to Hawaii and the Philippines had an especially large impact and encouraged me to see how we can balance tourism, sustainability, and human gain.

• BS, Biology, Juniata College

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Katie caught the marine science bug at a young age and has been smitten ever since. She researched her way through undergrad, lab-hopping from bioinformatics (Juniata College) to antibiotic resistant bacteria (NSF-REU at Marquette University) to zooplankton demographics (Oregon Institute of Marine Biology) to marine ecology (Universidad San Francisco de Quito) to Atlantic cod vocalizations (NOAA Hollings internship in Woods Hole, MA). Post bachelor’s with NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, she studied how underwater noise from offshore windfarm construction affects black sea bass behavior. Katie is most interested by the intersection of human beings and ocean systems, particularly in the context of marine protected areas and island communities. In the face of global climate change and environmental justice issues, she aspires to work where she can effect lasting solutions.

• BA, Marine Affairs, Visual Journalism – Photojournalism Track, University of Miami

Marlena has worked as an assistant camerawoman and a casting director in New York City for the past five years. She helped cast films such as We The Animals and Night Comes On, which both shared the SUNDANCE NEXT Innovator Award. She is currently working on a documentary on the Sama Bajau peoples and their statelessness in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Marlena is interested in the use of visual communication, such as feature length documentary form, as a tool to better incorporate marginalized groups in environmental strategies and policy.

• BS, Biology (Marine Focus), Minor in Environmental Science, Western Washington University

Ian is a volunteer interpreter with the Seattle Aquarium, working to encourage people’s interest in and affection for the natural world. His main interest is in trying to make scientific developments more accessible to laymen. By facilitating better communication, he hopes we can see productive environmental work supported by policy makers and the general populace.

• BA, English Literature, University of Richmond

Alex’s interest in marine conservation stems from scuba diving; having witnessed the positive impact that an MPA had on a bay in Saipan, she was inspired to pursue policy work. During her time with SMEA, she hopes to research how climate change or plastic pollution effects human populations with the intent to frame the threats to marine environments as public health issues. She has spent the last four years as a Transportation Officer for the United States Army and believes her experience in operations and logistics will enable her to put research into action.

• BA Political Science, BA Telecommunications, English Minor, Indiana University-Bloomington. Computer Programming Certificate, DePaul University. Screenwriting Certificate, TheFilmSchool, Seattle

George is a former newspaper reporter who covered all levels of government in Indiana and New York before transitioning to digital marketing, working in the ad industry in Chicago and then in high tech in Seattle. His first exposure to the Pacific Northwest was during his undergraduate days when he was recruited to spend a summer on the Olympic Peninsula assisting a team of researchers studying Coho salmon habitat in tributaries feeding the Queets River. In 2017 he started working at UW as a web manager, and his sustained interest in marine science led him to attend related seminars and enroll in oceanography and marine biology courses. One oceanography course inspired him to launch AboutClimateChange.com, and his journey continues now in the SMEA graduate program.

• BS, Biology, Marist College

Stephanie is a science writer from New York, covering topics ranging from climate change to animal myths. She’s previously conducted research on the spread of invasive Asian shore crabs, pulsing Xenia coral as living filters, and the dietary needs of captive fanworms. There’s currently a disconnect between the public and scientists. Her goal is to develop citizen science projects that get the public directly involved in scientific research. When she’s not writing or tutoring biology, Stephanie enjoys gardening, hiking, and caring for her many pets.