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.

What does a summer of marine biology research at Friday Harbor Labs look like? Find out in our latest student blog by Lauren Grady, who takes us through her time during the Marine Conservation Ecology class.

In our FieldNotes feature, the student-run undergraduate journal based in the UW College of the Environment, Claudia Stile wrote about working with the journal during her first year at UW and how it helped build a sense of community.

As FieldNotes publishes their Spring 2024 edition, we spoke with current editor-in-chief and Marine Biology major, Lauren Grady. A student-run undergraduate journal, students can join the introductory class (C ENV 401), which Lauren attended and then began writing blogs, promoting content, and editing pieces. She has developed her skills in writing, leadership, and science communication, and shared how other undergraduate students from across the UW College of the Environment can get involved.

This year, four students from the UW College of the Environment were chosen as NOAA Hollings Scholars, two of which are studying Marine Biology. Congratulations to Hannah Tucker and Megan Cosand! They shared their experience with us from a trip to the nation’s capital for orientation at the NOAA headquarters.