Alaska Sea Grant welcomes two students to the staff

Two undergraduate students from the University of Alaska Fairbanks have recently joined Alaska Sea Grant in the Fairbanks office. Robert Fuerstenau and Kyla Hammond are assisting staff and faculty with administrative and communications projects, including working in the Alaska Sea Grant bookstore, organizing photos and publications, helping with videos and the Alaska Sea Grant YouTube channel, and a variety of other projects.

Robert grew up in Wasilla and is a Marine Corps veteran. He plans to graduate next year with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. When asked what he likes about working for Alaska Sea Grant, he said, “I like being a part of all the informational meetings and events, and seeing all of the research projects. On the occasion I get to learn about the various facets of ocean science research, I enjoy it immensely.”

Kyla is originally from Colorado, and says she chose UAF because it offers research opportunities in an environment unlike any other in the United States. She has a certificate in nautical archaeology and is now working towards an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science focused on marine archaeology and bioarchaeology. Kyla said, “The people who work for Alaska Sea Grant are what make it so awesome. Many of them are willing and wanting to work with me to provide tasks and projects that relate to my individual goals. This provides real work experience that can be used in a future career.”

Both students have hit the ground running and are proving invaluable in helping Alaska Sea Grant complete important projects.