Four hundred and eighty kilometers from the Oregon Coast lies an active submarine volcano known as Axial Seamount, which erupted in 1998, 2011, and again in 2015. It is the most studied underwater volcano in the world, in part, thanks to the Regional Cabled Array (RCA), funded by the National Science Foundation as part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative. 

From salmon ecologists and scientific divers to conservation geneticists and marine biologists, the halls of UW’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and Marine Biology are filled with women in science.
Some are just beginning their journey with undergraduate degrees while others are pursuing research as retired professors, and we’re celebrating them all and the diversity among them.
For the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we share thoughts from more than 20 women, about their inspirations, the barriers they’ve overcome, and tips for being women in science. 

Welcome to the next student takeover! 2nd-year marine biology student, Samantha-Lynn Martinez, took over our Instagram and unpacked her exciting journey of combining design, illustration, camerawork, and science communication with her work here at UW, as well as outside of UW with research and marine science education gigs.

Samantha worked on an honors ad hoc project about how fishes hear with her instructor and curator of fishes at the Burke Museum, Luke Tornabene, over Autumn quarter. 

We spoke to Lauren Walthour, a UW Marine Biology student, taking part in a study abroad semester in Australia. Find out about her studies, research abroad experiences and what inspired her to pursue a marine biology major.
Dolphins, dreams and marine biology
I am participating in the semester long study abroad called SIT (School for International Training) Australia: Rainforest, Reef, and Ecology program. 

Samantha-Lynn Martinez, a second-year undergrad studying Marine Biology, recently served as a research assistant for the art-sciences project, Care for the Stranded, in collaboration with the Henry Art Gallery over the course of this summer. This project allowed her to combine her creative passions of photography and design with the marine science topics she is most excited about, and recounts her experience in Photo-ID work and more in her Interdisciplinary Honors Portfolio. 

Graduates, friends, family and other members of the UW community are warmly invited to the UW Marine Biology 2022 Graduation Celebration on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The ceremony is expected to last about an hour and will be followed by a reception with light refreshments. This will recognize UW undergraduates who have or will earn a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Marine Biology in autumn 2021, winter 2022, spring 2022 or summer 2022.

“Where Are They Now?” is a new series showcasing UW’s Marine Biology graduates in their early careers. For the very first episode, we check in with Angel Sar (BS 2020) who is currently working in Life Sciences and Operations Relief at the Seattle Aquarium.

Congratulations to José Guzman, Mikelle Nuwer, and Aina Hori who were recognized by the UW College of the Environment for Exceptional Mentoring of Undergraduates, Outstanding Teaching Faculty, and Undergraduate Dean’s Medalist, respectively

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Irissa came to the University of Washington’s Marine Biology Program by way of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Irissa also made waves when she competed internationally at the Olympic Hopes Regatta for sprint kayaking on Team USA in Hungary and the Czech Republic. We recently caught up with Irissa to learn more about her unique career path, being a new student during a pandemic, and her research interests.

Chris Mantegna is a first-generation, non-traditional student, who is currently finishing her Marine Biology undergraduate degree at the University of Washington. She also serves on the board of directors of Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science (BWEEMS) as co-chair of the Outreach, Mentorship, Social Committee. We recently caught up with Chris to learn more about her and how she became involved with this fast-growing international organization.