Undergraduate fellows start projects helping communities

Alaska Sea Grant is pleased to announce its fourth cohort of Alaska Sea Grant Community-Engaged Fellows. Five undergraduate students are working on projects across the state this summer that connect science to coastal communities using approaches that involve the community.

“The fellows in the 2024 CEF cohort are an inspiring group. They each have unique backgrounds and embody the mission of Alaska Sea Grant to center the needs and interests of coastal communities in everything we do,” said Brooke Carney, deputy director of Alaska Sea Grant and coordinator for the CEF program. “I look forward to the continued growth of this program.”

Last week, the fellows gathered for a two-day retreat in Anchorage, which consisted of professional development and team building. They heard from former Alaska Sea Grant fellows on career pathways and enjoyed exploring nature via raft, mountain bike, and foot. They also heard from University of Alaska Anchorage professor Amy Bishop on her research addressing food security for rural coastal Alaska communities, as well as a presentation and discussion on considerations for community engagement.

The Alaska Sea Grant Community-Engaged Fellowship for undergraduate students is part of a national program coordinated by the Sea Grant network. The program focuses on increasing representation in the coastal sciences and prioritizes community involvement as a core component of science-based work. The program also prioritizes mentorship, cohort building, and developing professional skills. Fellows are provided with a stipend.

Meet the fellows

Brendan Hegarty recently graduated from Georgetown University. He is working with several communities on developing co-ops, a continuation of an internship he began in January. Hegarty is based in Anchorage and being mentored by Barbara Johnson at the Alaska Community Development Center at University of Alaska Anchorage.

Leyla Thompson is a student at Alaska Pacific University and is working on several projects focused on co-management of marine mammals. Thompson is being mentored by Raven Cunningham with the Chugach Regional Resources Commission.

Joi Gross is studying at University of Alaska Southeast and is leading statewide outreach and education efforts focused on marine debris prevention. Gross is based in her hometown of Anchorage and being mentored by Brooke Carney with Alaska Sea Grant.

Mary Simeon attends University of Alaska Southeast and is spending the summer in her hometown of Bethel collecting oral histories focused on salmon from community elders. Simeon is being mentored by Stori Oates with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

Nels Ure is a student at University of Alaska Fairbanks. Ure is spending the summer in Naknek analyzing social science data on the impact of climate change on local subsistence resources. Ure is being mentored by Davin Holen with Alaska Sea Grant.