• BA, Environment, Sustainability & Policy and Political Science, Syracuse University

Rachel has studied a wide range of political, social, natural, and medical environmental issues. She completed an honors distinction thesis on environmental activism, beliefs, and communication frameworks, as well an independent research project on climate change resiliency, public health, and agricultural sustainability in the Himalayan foothills with Vandana Shiva in Uttarakhand, India. She is a member of the board of directors of the Gulf of Maine Institute (GOMI), an international environmental nonprofit focused on community-based stewardship, conservation, and education. Additionally, she serves as GOMI’s Program Coordinator, working with educators, scientists, and social leaders throughout the Gulf of Maine bioregion on issues including climate change mitigation, endangered species protection, urban green-space development, and saltmarsh/marine habitat conservation. She is beyond excited to join the SMEA cohort and to expand her studies to the Pacific as well as the Atlantic.

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

Although she grew up in California’s High Desert, Abigail has always had a passion for the sea. This love motivated her move to Seattle in 2015. While earning her BS at UW, Abigail completed research on a variety of topics including invertebrate community ecology, ecophysiology, and chemosensory biomechanics, each project fueled by her love of marine ecosystems. In order to further immerse herself in studying these ecosystems, she earned her scientific scuba diving certification in 2017 and has been an avid diver ever since. In addition to this work, Abigail has years of experience in interpreting science and nature for the public with organizations such as Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Seattle Aquarium, and EnviroIssues. Although she prioritized research in her undergraduate career, Abigail is eager to integrate her background in science and outreach with newfound skills in marine policy and management, as well as community inclusion and engagement, through her education with SMEA. Currently, Abigail works with UW’s Friday Harbor Laboratories as the Seattle-based Student Services Coordinator and with San Juan County as a research assistant working on a marine stewardship plan. Outside of work and school, Abigail enjoys knitting, cooking, napping with her two new kittens, and caring for her 30+ houseplants.

• 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, Oceanography, Mathematics Minor, Hawaii Pacific University

Anny has an academic background focused in physical oceanography along with professional experience consulting for a business intelligence firm logging controversial business activity in terms of environmental, social, and governance information. A seasoned commercial fisherman in Alaska as well as a business professional working on modern day slavery issues in the mid-east has shown Anny where her passions overlap – the cross section of social and environmental injustice on the high seas.
Understanding the most powerful motivator driving business decisions is positively affecting the bottom line, her interest lies in identifying/designing operating solutions which compel multinational companies manipulating the world’s unchecked oceans to choose to do what is right by their human and environmental resources, if for no other reason, because it will make them more money.
As an avid traveler and lover of the ocean, Anny pursues life with a ‘global citizen’ mindset.

• BS, Biology with Marine Emphasis, BA Environmental Policy, Western Washington University

Raven Benko is passionate advocate for science-based policy, science communication, and applied research. She recently completed a fellowship with the Smithsonian’s Office of Government Relations where she planned science symposiums for the US Senate and House of Representatives. She also interned as a science writer for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and brought the world of invertebrate zoology to life on the museum’s web-based platforms. Raven has conducted research on the responses of larval fish to environmental stressors like climate change and ocean acidification with NOAA, and studied the impacts of human disturbance on harbor seal abundance and behavior in Bellingham, Washington. She aims to build her career at the science-policy interface – streamlining engagement between scientists, policymakers, and the public.

• 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, Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management, BA, Dance, Minor, Marine Biology, University of Washington

Ecofeminist, artist, activist, human. These terms, which find their common ground in human, are the driving force behind Madison’s actions and experiences. After growing up fascinated by the natural world, Madison chose to study environmental science in college alongside her lifelong passion of dance. At the beginning, her studies were rooted in the biophysical, such as in researching marine birds and mammals at Friday Harbor Labs. However, her focus shifted toward community engagement and policy after working in the Human Dimensions Project of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Reserves Program in 2018. After talking with SMEA alumni working at this agency, she set her sights on a concurrent Master’s degree track with SMEA and the Evans School. Before starting this journey,  however, Madison chose to serve as the EcoArts Program Coordinator for the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. In this year-long AmeriCorps position, Madison manages arts-based environmental education and engagement programs for youth in West and South Seattle.

• 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, BS with emphasis in Biology and Cultural Studies, The Evergreen State College

Nikki’s education spans from bacteriophage lab research to advanced archaeology and cultural studies work culminating in six weeks of study abroad in Turkey. Her main areas of expertise as an undergrad were post-processual archaeology and research into novel bacteriophage treatments for management of E. coli O157:H7 in livestock. After graduation, work experience and extensive travel revealed environmental science to be the perfect marriage of her diverse skill set, work environment preferences, and values. She plans to focus her studies at SMEA on pollution management and is particularly interested in nutrient pollution.

• BA, Biological Sciences, Minor, Environmental Policy and Culture, Northwestern University

As an undergraduate eager to study the environment and climate change, Gabriela researched prairie restoration, squirrel monkey rehabilitation, and the effect of ocean acidification on gastropod egg masses (that last one at Friday Harbor Labs!) Finding her niche in the world of marine work, she taught K-12 marine and river education for two Los Angeles non-profits after graduation. Most recently, she worked as a field manager for a campaign promoting the California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act. Long aware of the threat of climate change to coastal cities, having watched her New York City neighborhood flood during Hurricane Sandy, she has become fascinated by nature-based solutions to coastal flooding.

• 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.

• BS, Marine Biology, University of California, San Diego

India is originally from southern California where she first developed a love for the ocean and passion about marine life conservation. In 2019, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from UC San Diego. Throughout her undergraduate years, India conducted conservation research in Dr. Brice Semmens’ Quantitative Marine Ecology Lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Namely, she analyzed the changes in the population size structure of Cayman Islands Nassau Grouper, via photogrammetry, to assess their recovery from overexploitation. Findings from her research efforts have contributed towards a better understanding of the population status of Nassau Grouper; she has actively shared these results at conferences, both locally in San Diego and abroad in the Yucatan Peninsula. From her time at Scripps, India was inspired to pursue graduate studies in marine conservation science and policy. She’s greatly interested to understand how various anthropogenic pressures and environmental parameters influence the spatio-temporal dynamics of pelagic marine species. Further, she’s eager to gain experience translating sound scientific findings into actionable steps for the effective management of marine resources. In the future, she hopes to work at the intersection of marine science, policy, and management.

• BA, Latin American Studies, Oberlin College

Joe has conducted programming and managed data for the Seattle Aquarium Community Science Program and supported University of Managua students on projects assessing the environmental and social impacts of the Nicaragua Canal Project. He is passionate about ecological data stewardship and building meaningful partnerships between professional and community scientists.

• BA, Environmental Studies, University of Washington Tacoma

Tanya grew up loving and respecting the ocean while being raised where the forests of western Washington meet the Pacific Ocean. She is a proud member of Quinault Indian Nation and aspires to use her education to better the natural resource management decisions for her tribe. Prior to beginning graduate school, Tanya worked as an intern for her tribe’s environmental protection department and as the legislative aide to Quinault’s Vice President. She gained experience working with youth, wildlife, and fish habitat and restoration as an intern. Her focuses as a legislative aide were food sovereignty, climate change, natural resource policy, and succession planning for future generations of tribal leaders and professionals. Tanya is interested in researching how tribal sovereignty can assist or benefit climate change policies in the Pacific Northwest and submarine ocean fiber cable technology to Washington and their environmental/ocean use.

• BS, Marine Biology, University of Rhode Island

Jessi served as an undergraduate research fellow with RI C-AIM for a full year, responsible for marine physiological and biomechanical research in order to analyze how fish may adapt under future climate change conditions. She also worked at the Save the Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium to learn about marine education and advocacy in the greater Narragansett Bay region. She is interested in how underserved people across the globe are being represented in marine policy, especially where topics of migration, justice, and the oceans are involved.

• 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, Organizational Communication & BS, Organismal Biology and Ecology, Middle Tennessee State University

Emma graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2018 with Bachelors degrees in organizational communication and organismal biology/ecology. During her time there, she assisted in a research project involving the endangered hellbender population of middle Tennessee, as well as volunteered and interned with various nonprofit environmental organizations. Since moving to Seattle, she has started a jewelry company that donates a portion of the profits to local marine conservation groups. She is most interested in marine conservation policy in regards to endangered species in the Pacific Northwest. She is a lifelong lover of the Southern Resident Orcas, and strives to become a stronger advocate for them during her time with SMEA.

• BS, Geography, BS, International Affairs, Florida State University

During her undergraduate studies at Florida State University, Leah conducted research involving the effect of sea level rise on Indigenous populations in the Pacific Islands based on socioeconomic and physical conditions. She is interested in climate change research, especially pertaining to social science approaches to solving problems. Leah hopes to study island nations in the Pacific Ocean as well as the enforcement of climate change and environmental policies and regulations.

• 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.

• BA, Bio-Cultural Anthropology, Western Washington University

Blair is a local to the Pacific Northwest. Growing up, she volunteered most weekends throughout high school with the Seattle Aquarium, a program which she later came back to as an adult volunteer. Most recently, she has worked as a payroll and HR specialist for Facilities Services at UW. Through her connections with Facilities, she established a plastic recycling workspace for student collaboration known as Precious Plastic in Maple Hall’s makerspace. During her time at SMEA, she is excited to understand how policy can be used as a tool to address this “I, me, mine” world that we live in. She views environmental policy as an opportunity to repair the disconnect between humans as individuals and the environment. Her primary areas of interest are plastic pollution/waste management, coastal development and community education/outreach. Outside of SMEA, Blair’s interests are diverse, including ceramic arts, Argentine tango, and SCUBA diving.

• 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, 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.

• BA, Interdisciplinary Concentration: Coastal Marine Watershed Resilience, Western Washington University

Izzi has oriented towards water protection and climate justice through a diversity of currents. She has worked to cultivate change as a student organizer at WWU, research diver in Quintana Roo, Mexico, environmental educator at the Padilla Bay NERR, and underwater cinematographer for Children of the Setting Sun Production Films: “Salmon People” & the award-winning “Women of Journeys – Finding Our Medicine”. Beyond an innate passion for marine flora & fauna, Izzi is eager to dive deeper into Marine Affairs as they strive towards unsettling & revolutionizing our relationship to water.

• 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.

• BA, Biology, Occidental College

Connor has a passion for connecting people with the environment. He spent multiple summers leading day camps at the Woodland Park Zoo and has spent the previous four years leading hiking and biking trips for the active travel company Backroads. He has travelled extensively in Latin America and the Middle East while studying Spanish, Arabic, and Biology. Specifically, he is interested in how cross-cultural communication can be used for large scale environmental policy and marine resource management.

• 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 (Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation), Minor, Marine Biology, University of Washington

While at the University of Washington, Devon worked in the Center for Conservation Biology lab, extracting hormones from killer whale fecal samples to measure stress and nutrition levels in Washington’s resident orca population. She also spent time at Friday Harbor Laboratories studying the nutritional and ecological values of sea urchin feces compared to seaweed. She worked with the ASVO sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica to help improve egg and infant survival rates and collect population data. Devon is passionate about protecting and restoring marine environments and wants to help expand the intersection between the scientific community and policy makers. She is interested in ecology-based environmental policies and sustainable, inclusive solutions for marine issues caused by climate change and overexploitation.

• BS, Environmental Science, Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University

Born and raised in Seattle, Robinson developed an affinity for the Pacific Northwest at an early age by spending time every year on the WA/OR coast with his family. During his final year of undergrad, Robinson completed a 6-week research/field based study abroad in South Africa focusing on coastal and marine ecosystem conservation and resource management. His Capstone project focused on xenobiotic chemicals presence and effect on wild salmon and orca whale populations in the Salish Sea. Since graduating he has volunteered with various environmental nonprofits in the greater Seattle area, worked a summer with the US Forest Service as a trail crew member, been an intern at a wildlife rehabilitation center, and worked as a veterinary assistant the last few years in the Seattle area. His interests include (but are not limited to!) the conservation and protection of salmon species and orca whale populations inhabiting the Salish Sea area.

• BA, Organismal Biology & Ecology; Minor, Environmental Issues, Colorado College

As a Washington native, Kate has always had a passion for marine ecosystems. Her experience studying biology and ecology at Colorado College, coupled with her internship at UW’s Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team supporting citizen science, developed Kate’s interest in understanding how scientific communication and environmental education can most effectively empower communities to engage in environmental stewardship. Kate’s undergraduate research work in Belize studying coral reef and mangrove ecosystems inspired her career commitment to marine conservation. She is particularly interested in conservation management of reserves, vulnerable populations, and resources that are both ecologically and economically valuable.  She is interested in environmental law and policy particularly in the areas of environmental monitoring, resource management and endangered species.

• 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.

• 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, Marine Biology, University of Oregon

Clay first became interested in fisheries working with Coho Salmon in Coos Bay, Oregon while pursuing his undergraduate degree. He has spent the last three years working as an Alaskan Fisheries Observer collecting data from commercial fishing vessels. After working alongside both commercial fishermen and fisheries managers, Clay is excited to investigate how fisheries policy and environmental regulation can be implemented to protect the environment and create sustainable fisheries.

• BA, Environmental Studies, University of Washington

Staci graduated from the University of Washington’s Program on the Environment in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Studies. As an undergraduate she studied climate change impacts on juvenile flatfish habitat at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and worked as an intern with Washington Sea Grant’s invasive European green crab monitoring program. She has since worked in visitor engagement at the Seattle Aquarium, focusing on science communication and informal education to engage Aquarium guests on a wide variety of topics in marine science and conservation while working closely with the Aquarium’s large network of volunteers. Having grown up in Seattle she is particularly fond of the Salish sea, and is excited to explore the intersection of research and management to protect and restore marine resources and systems.

• BA, Environmental Studies emphasis in Marine Science and Policy, University of California Santa Cruz

Grace began her Marine Policy journey on the cobblestone floor of the Montlake Blvd. NOAA facility after passing out from dissecting a fish. Upon waking, she was moved from “biology” to “urban planning,” where she helped teach 3rd and 4th graders about the Puget Sound as a watershed. When given the opportunity to intern in a lab during her under-grad, she elected to stay away from fish and began studying planktonic organisms through the Sison-Mangus Laboratory at the University of California Santa Cruz. Eager to unite science and society, Grace was the Social Chair of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars: Santa Cruz Chapter and an outreach coordinator for her college’s community garden. A social butterfly, Grace created and facilitated engaging, team-building events around the themes of integrity, scholarship, leadership and sustainability. She hopes to continue her education by examining how humans of different incomes impact their environment along the coastal borderland.

• BS, Environmental Economics and Policy, Political Science Minor, Oregon State University

Dylan was an intern with the aviculture department at the Oregon Coast Aquarium during his final year at college. He hopes to continue working with non-profit organizations dedicated to marine wildlife rescue and habitat rehabilitation during his time at SMEA.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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, Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University

Greg has recently finished a 10 year commitment to the US Navy, where he served as a helicopter pilot, primarily stationed out of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. During this time, he sailed throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans and witnessed how various nations/governments coordinated to manage contested marine spaces in the face of anthropogenic climate change. He is interested in learning more about international marine management efforts and community based environmental equity and empowerment through science communication.

• 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, Human Ecology, College of the Atlantic

Caroline interned at Friends of Taunton Bay in Maine, where she assisted with community programs to educate adults and children about intertidal life, and at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, where she helped draft the 2019 condition report for the sanctuary and conducted socioeconomic surveys on whale watching vessels. For her undergraduate senior project, Caroline assisted the Wisconsin Bureau of Fisheries Management in reviewing policy and guidance documents by detailing relevant statutory, federal, and administrative code references in the guidance documents to fulfill the requirements of 2017 Wisconsin Act 369. Through her interdisciplinary degree at College of the Atlantic, Caroline was able to focus on environmental law and policy. Now, she is interested in pursuing a career in the development and implementation of fisheries law and policy.

• BS, Environmental Studies, University of Southern California

Chase has worked in a variety of environmental fields, from solar technology research to cetacean bioacoustic surveys and education to marine sustainability field work. She also served as an international adventure travel guide, where she was first exposed to community-driven climate adaptation projects in Colombia, Patagonia, and the coastal Balkans. Currently, she is interested in creating partnerships with underserved coastal communities to produce knowledge and solutions to critical environmental issues, as well as documenting those conservation efforts through digital media to raise public awareness and catalyze policy action.

• 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.

• BS, Biology, Seattle University

While at Seattle University, Jenna participated in research exploring marine algae population genetics and biodiversity of intertidal marine invertebrate communities. After graduating she worked with the Seattle Aquarium to assist in developing a protocol to investigate changes in coral cover and bleaching recovery on Hawaiian reefs. She is interested in mitigating the impacts of climate change on marine habitats both through hands-on research and by working with communities and policy-makers to sustainably manage local and global resources.

• 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, Major in Marine Science, Minor in Biology, California State University Monterey Bay

Aileen completed her undergraduate degree at California State University Monterey Bay while working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as a scientific aid, sampling from commercial fishing vessels targeting coastal pelagic species such as market squid and Pacific sardine. In her time as a scientific aid, Aileen developed an interest in fisheries management and marine ecology, which she hopes to explore further at SMEA. In her free time, Aileen enjoys exploring local coffee shops, drinking tea, tidepooling, and hanging out with her bunny.

• BS, Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis

Jacquelyn grew up in Washington and moved to California to finish her undergraduate degree. While there, she assisted with research on the health of river delta and estuarine systems at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and larval recruitment within marine protected areas at the Bodega Bay Marine Lab. Most recently, Jacquelyn worked at The Marine Mammal Center to create resources and engage with the community on ocean conservation topics and collaborated with Cascadia Research Collective on a cetacean diving behavior study based on satellite tag data out of Hawaii. She is passionate about science communication and excited to explore community involvement in marine resource management and sustainable fisheries.

• 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, Politics and Government and Environmental Policy and Decision Making, University of Puget Sound

Kayla has studied abroad in Copenhagen doing research on community based natural resource management in arctic climates. She is interested in conservation methods in the arctic, as well as international policy surrounding climate change.

• BA, Environmental Studies, University of Washington

While earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, Darby focused primarily on sustainability and education and outreach programs. She did projects on state water rights, current restoration projects, and environmental justice. She enjoyed her internship at Eastside Audubon, a non-profit organization, as well as the Environmental Education and Outreach program at the University of Washington Bothell campus. She is interested in the effects of climate change on marine life, as well as sustainability and renewable energy. This past year Darby worked for a company that filtered storm water runoff from construction sites. She got to see and be a part of real world solutions to environmental problems all over Washington. Her goal is to use her experience in education and outreach programs to connect the public to the work that has been, and needs to be done to combat climate change and decrease pollution and harm to marine life.

• BS, Marine Biology, Hawaii Pacific University

Monica has been a fisheries observer for both the Pacific Islands Regional Observer Program and the North Pacific Observer Program where she collected data used in sustainable fisheries management across the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. She moved on to work in data management for the Fisheries Management and Analysis Division at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center where she trained fisheries observers as well as ensured reconciled data was made available for managing Alaskan fisheries. She then took a position with the International Pacific Halibut Commission where she manages operation logistics and data collection for a fishery-independent research survey which is conducted yearly along the US and Canadian coast from California to Alaska. She is interested science-based marine policy and decision making to promote sustainable fisheries management and an economically fair market.

• 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, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Minor, Marine Sciences, University of California San Diego

Harshitha has been an active member of the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency and Al Mahara diving team as a research assistant in expeditions to Lulu island and creating outreach programs in the community to discuss current global issues such as coral bleaching, brine deposition, and studying the biological diversification and interaction of wild life and marine life in the United Arab Emirates. This has led her to attend a Conservation Medicine course at Cornell University and develop her own research investigating the effects of desalination plants on the mangrove ecosystems of the Arabian Gulf. She has also assisted in research conducted at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography Azam Lab pertaining to marine microbial diversity, population dynamic, and structure and functioning in the microbial food web. She is interested in addressing the aspects of conservation of marine environments by incorporating cultural, social, and economic aspects of human interaction with the environment to implement sustainable practices in resource management and continue to learn more about the culture of the coastal Salish tribes and their practices that support and guide current policies and regulations.

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

Megan graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 2011 and has 9 years of active duty service as a Coast Guard Officer. She has served on CGC DECISIVE (WMEC-629) homeported in Pascagoula, MS as a Deck Watch Officer; CGC BAINBRIDGE ISLAND (WPB-1343) and CGC SITKINAK (WPB-1329) homeported in Bayonne, NJ as the Executive Officer; and most recently on CGC JOHN MIDGETT (WHEC-726) homeported in Seattle, WA as the Operations Officer. While at sea, the majority of her patrols were focused on domestic fisheries enforcement on the East, West, and Gulf Coasts as well as the Bering Sea. From 2015 to 2018 she served as the Commanding Officer of the Pacific Regional Fisheries Training Center in Alameda, CA where she oversaw fisheries enforcement training for all Coast Guard units throughout the West Coast, Hawaii, Guam, and Western Pacific. She is interested in the long term investment of high seas international fisheries regulation and enforcement.

• BS, Marine Science, Jacksonville University

Being raised in Florida, Nicolette was always surrounded by a marine environment. Upon starting at Jacksonville University, she began studying marine science with a focus on oceanography and water quality. Nicolette quickly discovered the deviation between marine science and the legality surrounding the marine environment which led her to minor in political science. In her last year at JU, Nicolette conducted undergraduate research surveying the lower basin of the St. Johns River by conducting regular water quality tests to assess the health of the river. In addition to this, Nicolette interned for the North Florida Land Trust, the St. Johns Riverkeeper, and The Public Trust Environmental Law (Jacksonville) which all influenced her interest in marine affairs. At SMEA, Nicolette is working on her capstone to study the changes of ocean current & sea ice patterns and river hydrology with the people of Kivalina, AK in order to assist with predicting future patterns and to help raise awareness to how climate change impacts the Arctic and its people.

• BA, Psychology, Western Washington University

After graduating from university in 2011, Olivia traveled to the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia to intern at a remote research station that studied lowland tropical ecosystems. Olivia’s research focused on local’s values and perceptions of anticipated infrastructure in the region, and how this would impact the community as well as tourism. This marked the beginning of a year of traveling and volunteering in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and developing a deep interest in the complexities of human impacts around the globe. More recently, Olivia has spent the last several years working as a small-ship travel consultant, assisting travelers in visiting remote destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galapagos. While her experiences traveling in these regions were deeply formative in her love for the natural environment, and particularly marine ecosystems, she found that her passions lie in developing conservation management and policies for our threatened seas and coastal areas. Olivia has focused her background in psychology on the intersection of cognition and conservation behaviors, and wrote her undergraduate thesis on the gradual accommodation of widespread changes in our natural environment. She is passionate about furthering her knowledge of human behavior in the context of marine restoration and management.