UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs

06/04/2026

SMEA faculty Patrick Christie, Anne Beaudreau, and Phil Levin recently participated in the UW College of the Environment's Community-Engaged Research Symposium.

We're proud to see our faculty contributing to conversations about community-engaged environmental research and collaboration.

Read more on our website:

Three School of Marine and Environmental Affairs faculty members recently participated in the University of Washington College of the Environment’s inaugural Community-Engaged Research Symposium. The event brought together researchers, students, and community partners from across the College to sh...

06/02/2026

This spring, SMEA students presented capstone and thesis projects addressing environmental and social challenges through interdisciplinary research, community partnerships, and applied problem-solving.

Projects explored topics including climate policy, fisheries, offshore wind development, environmental justice, kelp ecosystems, food systems, and marine conservation.

We are proud of the hard work, dedication, and impact of our students and look forward to seeing where their careers take them next.

Check out their work here: https://smea.uw.edu/about/news/2026/06/02/2026-smea-capstones-theses-advancing-interdisciplinary-solutions-to-environmental-challenges/?preview_id=24636&preview_nonce=850b8e07bc&_thumbnail_id=24639&preview=true

05/14/2026

At SMEA, students gain hands-on experience contributing to collaborative marine and environmental research.

SMEA second-year student Maddie Gard recently participated in a Washington Ocean Acidification Center cruise aboard the Rachel Carson UW vessel in Puget Sound. During the April 13–17 cruise, Maddie worked with the research team to deploy the CTD and process water samples for chlorophyll measurements and eDNA preservation.

The Washington Ocean Acidification Center has supported Maddie’s research on the harmful algal bloom species Alexandrium catenella during her time at SMEA.

Read more in our latest website story: https://smea.uw.edu/about/news/2026/05/14/smea-student-participates-in-washington-ocean-acidification-center-research-cruise/

05/05/2026

Eitan Gerstle, a 2nd-year SMEA student, spent this spring in the Stillaguamish River estuary contributing to research on estuary restoration and salmon recovery.

Working with Dr. Anne Beaudreau and partners from The Nature Conservancy, Skagit River System Cooperative, and the Stillaguamish Tribe, Eitan helped monitor how restored habitats support salmon and their prey.

This work, supported by Washington Sea Grant, reflects SMEA’s commitment to hands-on, collaborative environmental research.

04/28/2026

Big congrats to SMEA alum Max Perkins on publishing his first lead-author paper in Ecosystem Services!

Co-authored with SMEA Affiliate Faculty member Katir Arkema and colleagues, this research highlights how coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses can help protect coastal energy infrastructure and how protected areas can boost grid resilience for coastal communities.

Take a look at the interactive model: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/1bd072fb855745ee8598d373179bdf42/

From an undergrad internship at PNNL to a published paper, this project has been years in the making. Way to go, Max!

Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212041626000355?via%3Dihub

04/23/2026

It’s Husky Giving Day!!

At the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, we’re training the next generation of marine and environmental policymakers and leaders who will shape sustainable futures across the globe.

Your gift supports student success by funding scholarships, advancing research, and helping us bring in world-class faculty and researchers.

From analysts and consultants to nonprofit leaders and activists, SMEA graduates are making an impact, and it starts with support from our community.

Make a gift today and be part of the impact
https://together.uw.edu/i/hgd/Campaign/husky-giving-day-20266?refGuid=58d7aac9-1e50-4004-9cca-5891ccce89d7&refName=College%20of%20the%20Environment

Today is ! Find out how you can support students, teaching and research.

https://bit.ly/4c5DFuZ

Our students, faculty and staff are working on some of the most pressing environmental issues, including extreme weather, natural hazards mitigation, ocean health, climate change and more. We hope you join us in powering this important work.

UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences UW Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science University of Washington Earth and Space Sciences UW EarthLab UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences Friday Harbor Labs UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs Marine Biology at the University of Washington UW Program on the Environment UW Program on Climate Change

04/21/2026

Exciting news from SMEA!

SMEA postdoctoral scholar Kristen Marie Green, Ph.D., has been awarded a BRIN-Fulbright Scholar Award to support a project in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Her work will focus on bringing “Blue Foods”, like fish and other aquatic foods, into school lunches to improve nutrition for children while supporting local fishing communities and sustainable fisheries.

We’re proud to see SMEA research making a global impact!

Read more about her work here:

The University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) is proud to highlight the work of postdoctoral scholar Kristen Marie Green, Ph.D., whose research sits at the intersection of coastal resilience, food systems, and community wellbeing. An interdisciplinary social scientis...

04/16/2026

We’re pleased to share this Husky Giving Day spotlight on SMEA student Emma Klessig.

Supporting students like Emma means investing in future leaders working at the intersection of science, policy, and environmental stewardship.

Learn more and support SMEA: https://together.uw.edu/i/uw/Campaign/husky-giving-day-20266

04/16/2026

In a recent Nature article by Aisling Irwin, SMEA Professor Ryan Kelly is featured for his research on environmental DNA (eDNA), an emerging tool reshaping how we study and manage ecosystems.

By showing that DNA can be collected from the air, this work opens new possibilities for monitoring biodiversity and supporting more informed environmental decision-making.

Check out the full article here:

Airborne genetic material can be used to paint a picture of ecosystem health, watch for invasive species and even identify humans.

04/13/2026

Join us for Blue Drinks

Hosted by SMEA’s Student Environmental Affairs Society (SEAS), Blue Drinks is a networking event connecting students and professionals working on marine and coastal issues.

Come talk all things oceans, build connections, and engage with our community, especially as first-year students head into summer internships and second-year students prepare to launch their careers.

📅 April 15 | 5–7 PM
📍 Marine Studies Building
1501 NE Boat St, Seattle, WA

Drinks (beer, wine, and nonalcoholic options) will be provided. We hope to see you there!