Currents is a student-run blog dedicated to sharing timely and relevant discussions of pressing environmental issues, particularly in regards to marine and coastal systems and the interactions between humans and nature. We aim to inform, inspire and incite dialogue on topics that affect society and the world around us both directly and indirectly. In doing so, we place value on accessibility to the broader public, diversity of perspectives, recognition of the complex nature of these issues, and challenging our own and others’ views.

Keep your eyes peeled for a new blog every Monday!

Brittany Hoedemaker

Editor-in-Chief

Email: hoedyb@uw.edu
Twitter: @WhatDoUMarine
IG: @goodearthfluence

Seattle area native often found sipping tea, dogspotting (it’s a sport), and baking while watching Food Network. 

Infamous for liking all the “worst” candy – blames it on being the 2nd rate younger sibling. 

Happiest when getting others excited about clean beauty, sharks or climate science!

Sallie Lau

Managing Editor

Feminist scientist, noob photographer, proud Hong Konger.

Matcha, hojicha, oolong enthusiast.

Likes reading newsletters, historical fiction, and angsty sports manga.

Currently thinking a lot about metropolis planning and democratic society.

Karin Otsuka

Social Media Coordinator

Oahu -> Miyakojima (Okinawa, Japan) -> Washington.

Avid hiker, doggo lover, sweater collector, and earl grey sipper.

Prefers hanging out with animals and contemplating life (you know, thinking about plastic pollution and waste) over human interactions (just introvert things, but working on it).

Marlena Skrobe

Creative Director

She/Her pronouns
Website: www.marlenaskrobe.com
Email: mskrobe@uw.edu
Twitter: @sweetmarlena
IG: @sweetmarlena

Brooklynite at heart, but has lived in New Jersey, Miami, Southeast Asia, and now Seattle. 

Has been working behind the camera for over seven years, but will happily put down the camera and talk to anyone she meets. Hearing stories is her all-time favorite activity. 

Loves whale watching from land and will probably know the whereabouts of a whale or two in the Puget Sound.

Henry Bell

Minnesotan that doesn’t play hockey because he’s originally from Kentucky.

Didn’t get a real job after graduating from college.

Instead, sailed the seven seas, filmed an environmental documentary, and learned how to make damn good rum drinks.

Dave Berndtson

Chicago native, but lived in Maine and Virginia before relocating to Washington.

Top five favorite things in the universe: music, dogs, saving the oceans, canoeing, and cancelling plans.

Chris Boylan

Grew up in Florida, but from the Midwest, so wearing shorts year round in Seattle.

Semi-professional people person who is very interested in the role that community and sense of place plays in environmental stewardship.

Buyer/re-seller of thrift store finds.

Katy Dalton

Hailing from Alaska, knows what it means to be from the “real” PNW.

Often more comfortable on water than on land, and much prefers the cold to the heat.

Charlotte Dohrn

Seattle native returning home after an extended California getaway.

Usually biking around town, has mixed feelings on rain pants.

Passionate about coastal life and seeking solutions both local and global.

Lou Foristall

Midwest native in love with the Northwest.

Graduated law school, but wasn’t done learning.

Passionate about food and where it comes from.

Abby Keller

North Carolina native and the only vegetarian you’ve ever met whose favorite food is fried chicken.

Most often found biking, eating peanut butter, dog-spotting, or crying while watching the Great British BakeOff.

Biologist who loves all aspects of the natural world and is hoping to explore the intersection of humans and the environment.

TJ Kennedy

Virginia native excited to be back on the West Coast.

Warm weather lover fascinated by the science of the Arctic.

Would love to meet fellow country music lovers in Seattle.

Let’s all save the whales and go scuba diving.

James Lee

Twitter: @JamesLeeRWC

An exile from the San Francisco Bay Area tech bubble.

Passionate about seagrass, macroalgae, and restoration work in those habitats.

Fan of Carl Sagan, Roger Federer, and old school singer-songwriters (Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, Phil Ochs, etc.).

Christina Madonia

Desert roots. Arizona->Washington for the ocean, forests, and rain.

Loves dogs, cetaceans, peanut butter, and being outdoors.

Passionate about creating a sustainable relationship between humans and marine ecosystems.

Susannah Maher

PNW native, will swap hiking spots with anyone standing still for too long.

Passionate about salmon restoration, climate change policy, and Indigenous rights and Traditional Knowledge.

Writing this bio while listening to the Democratic debate and is hyped

Manjari Misra

American-Born Confused Desi (ABCD) and Water-nut (Scuba certified and all).

Wildlife conservation enthusiast (and eager to get other people to become the same) and in love with all entities that are not human (extant and extinct).

An avid reader and secretly writes prose inspired by nature.

Jessica O’Toole

Born and raised in the Bay State and somehow made my way to the West Coast.

Came for the octopus and stayed for the sharks.

Still trying to find a way to get to San Diego Comic Con.

Lindsey Popken

Email: lrpopken@uw.edu

Left California for the PNW. 

Obsessed with sea otters  and sea otter pups (emphasis on the pups). 

Trained anthropologist trying to navigate the world of marine science and policy. Interested in the human dimensions behind species and ecosystem conservation. 

Fan of TV, true crime podcasts, Marvel movies, and seeking out the world’s cutest sea otter photo. 

Abby Rogerson 

IG: @abbyrogerstein 

Roots in Wisconsin; knows how to make a good old-fashioned. 

Loves eating and cooking with others, and wants to learn how we can create a more sustainable and just food system. 

Drop her a line if you want to play some euchre.

Ian Stansfield

PNW local with no intention of moving away any time soon.

Slapdash interests and hobbies.

Was going to be an experimental researcher until he realized he likes talking about research results more than actually getting them.

George Thomas Jr.

Former newspaper reporter and longtime digital marketer.

Once held the title “Webmaster.”

Seeking to demystify key issues shrouded by clutter.