Writing for FieldNotes, a student-run undergraduate journal and digital storytelling platform, Marine Biology undergrad Yoochan An shares his insight into the unusual sighting of a mola mola fin in the Puget Sound. 

Why did you decide to study marine biology?

I was in elementary school, probably 2nd or 3rd grade, sitting in the library with nothing to do, quite bored. I decided to take a browse in the science section, because my interest in the fiction available at the time was low. As I sifted through, I stumbled across this encyclopedia of different shark species and some surface level facts about them. 

What set you on the path to study marine biology?
I was 5 years old and watching Finding Nemo in the movie theater – that’s the moment I knew I wanted to be a marine biologist. Exploring beaches, snorkeling on holiday in Hawaii – these were things I’ve always loved to do. As a military kid, I moved to Washington and immediately fell in love with the incredible natural environment that’s really unique to us here. 

It was thrilling to be a part of the world of science communications and wildlife film and pave the way for other girls of color, like me, looking to make an impact in this creative field. 

The National Diversity in Stem Conference (NDiSTEM) organized by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the U.S., serving to equip, empower, and energize participants for their academic and professional paths in STEM.
At the 2023 event held in October in Portland, SAFS graduate student, Nicole Doran, won the research presentation prize for Best Graduate Student Oral Presentation in the field of Ecology and Evolution, and recent Marine Biology graduate, Olivia Anderson, won a Native American/Indigenous Student Research Abstract Award. 

Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) Programs offer students a unique opportunity to take part in research related to their field of study. Involved in the Philippines-IRES (International Research Experience for Students) this summer was UW Marine Biology senior, Grace Davis. Funded under an NSF award, the program is led by the Old Dominion University and Texas A&M Corpus Christi University and provides students with an independent research project with Filipino mentors from the Silliman University (SU) in the Philippines, with a focus on fisheries impacts on marine biodiversity. 

What inspired you to study marine biology?
I really dove into marine biology during high school. I’ve always had an interest in the marine environment and being born in the Philippines and then moving to Seattle, this affinity for the marine environment was always there for me. Going to beaches, tracing the seafood I ate, stewardship principles – these things are all a big part of my culture.  

Combining a love of sea life with a love of photography. What did second year student Sam Eck share with us during his Instagram takeover?
Hi there! My name is Sam and I’m currently a second year Marine Biology student at UW. Ever since I could remember I had a fascination with aquatic life. This could be tracking skittish crayfish in a backyard creek or watching sea anemones bask in tide pools. 

While volunteering with the Seattle Aquarium last year, Marine Biology sophomore, Alice Vimal, met Dr Sylvia Earle as part of the SeaChange 2022 event. She shares her passion for marine life and the ocean, and her experience as a Youth Ocean Advocate.
Watch the video below (starting at 33 minutes) to find out more about what inspired her love of marine biology. 

What brought a UW Marine Biology student to California in 2023? Marine mammal research! Ashley Rendon, in her junior year at UW and an Air Force reservist, spent just under a month with NOAA’s Marine Mammal Laboratory on San Miguel Island, the westernmost island of the California Channel Islands.
Finding out about the internship through an email sent by UW Marine Biology adviser Joe Kobayashi, Ashley applied to be a part of the research experience which focuses on population abundance, vital rate estimates, and foraging ecology of California sea lions and northern fur seals.