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. 

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.

Situated in the heart of the San Juan Islands, roughly 100 miles from Seattle, FHL is a unique satellite campus that offers students an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the Pacific Northwest’s marine environment. Much like the NBA’s “bubble,” where teams were isolated to ensure player health during the pandemic, the 2020 class of MARBIO 488 became its own bubble.

Melina Wettstein, an undergraduate at the University of Washington, is pursuing a double major in marine biology and math. After she graduates, Melina plans to pursue a career as a researcher—something she has already made strides toward by publishing her research in the College of the Environment’s undergraduate journal, FieldNotes. She is also an exuberant artist, expressing her creativity through a love of painting and drawing. 

Meet Delaney Lawson who spent a quarter on the Caribbean island of South Caicos as part of a study abroad experience with the School for Field Studies.

 
Katie Hearther is a double major in both Marine Biology and Oceanography here at the University of Washington as well as a minor in Arctic Studies. She sat down with us to discuss her trajectory as a student, internship opportunities, and advice for prospective and current students interested in the marine sciences.
Why Marine Biology and what drew you to the marine science programs here at the University of Washington? 

Jonathan Huie is a recent graduate of both the UW Marine Biology and Aquatic and Fishery Sciences degrees. He is currently working at Friday Harbor Labs in the San Juan Islands as a lab technician. Part of his duties includes CT scanning UW Burke specimens as part of the NSF funded effort to scan all vertebrates and upload them to an online and open-source database. He kindly answered a few of our questions about his undergraduate experience as well as offered some advice for students thinking about pursuing a career in marine biology.

Andrew Chin, a senior double majoring in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and Marine Biology shares his month-long experience sailing South Pacific with the SEA Semester program