In November 2024, Marine Biology student, Mollie Ball, gave her first research presentation at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science’s (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM Conference in Phoenix, and clinched the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation award.

In a new episode of the UW College of the Environment’s FieldSound, Aisha Rashid, a recent graduate of both the Marine Biology and Oceanography programs, shares her experience aboard the research vessel Thomas G. Thompson, her current work with Wild Orca researching Southern Resident killer whales, and her capstone research as a double major. 

What’s Fall Quarter like when studying Marine Biology at Friday Harbor Labs? Find out in our latest social media takeover with Ellie!

From transferring in to UW, and discovering the geosciences through GEODUC, we spoke to Mollie Ball about her experience becoming a scientist. Seizing research opportunities and building her community within GEODUC, Mollie’s student profile highlights her first-generation, transfer student journey while sharing advice for other undergraduates.

During the VISIONS’24 research expedition, 23 students experienced life at sea as part of UW’s educational mission. Each year, UW Marine Biology students are part of the VISIONS student cohort that head out into the Pacific Ocean, learning valuable skills for their future education and careers, including seagoing research, ship operations, and life aboard an oceanographic research vessel.

In a conversation with transfer student John Plinka, we found out about what brought him to UW Marine Biology and what drives his passion for social consciousness and scientific advancement. After a whirlwind first year in the program, John shares more about what being a transfer student is like as an older student, and his plans for the future after graduation.

From possibly one of the deepest recorded sightings of a Mola mola to sharing what life is like on board the EV Nautilus as a video engineer intern, our latest Instagram takeover is by Samantha-Lynn Martinez. Read below to catch up with her trip to American Samoa!
We are just over halfway done with our E/V Nautilus Expedition in American Samoa (see their Instagram here)! 

With a mission to act as a voice for the student population, the College of the Environment’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) is made up of both undergraduate and graduate students from across College units. A member of SAC last year, Marine Biology undergrad Clara Kreutziger will act as Council co-chair for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Over the course of two weeks, Marine Biology senior, Ashley Rendon, joined us to feature her work with the Marine Landscape Ecology Lab (MLEL), led by SAFS Professor Dr. Corey Garza. MLEL uses drones, GIS, and spatial statistics to study the marine environment.

Participating in a 5-day cruise on board the RV Rachel Carson, Karina Lai did an Instagram takeover to show what she’s up to with the Washington Ocean Acidification Center (WOAC). From sampling variables such as oxygen, DIC, phytoplankton and eDNA using a CTD Rosette, she also spoke about her EarthLab internship.