Darian received her B.A. in mathematics from Utah State University in 2020. Her interests lie in using mathematical analysis, modeling, and computational tools to help conserve marine species. She is especially interested in using these tools to understand how climate change will affect marine ecosystems.

Joseph received his MSc in Food, Agriculture, and Resource Economics from the University of Guelph in 2019. His research interests include data sciences, environmental economics, as well as the design of effective natural resource policies. One of Joseph’s specific interests is analyzing the impact of seaweed cultivation on other forms of aquaculture.

Andrea received her B.S. in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences from the University of Washington in 2018 and has since been working as a lab technician at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She aims to use mathematical models to explore and better understand the dynamic nature of exploited fish populations under a changing climate. The goal of her research is to improve fisheries management strategies in a way that ensures the balance between a thriving ecosystem and productive fishery.

Receiving his degree in Environmental Studies and American studies from Amherst College, Chimaway Lopez has looked to explore the growing intersection of Indigenous studies and Environmental studies. Grounding his research within his lived experience in Chumash maritime culture, Chimaway believes that engaging with marine policy and science through Indigenous methodologies will be crucial to navigating the ecological and ontological disaster of the Anthropocene.

Toni obtained her B.S. in Marine Science, Biology and Ecosystem Science & Policy with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) in 2020. Her research interests lie in the potential uses for aquaculture technology in addressing conservation issues – particularly those affecting indigenous or low-income communities – and how they can be implemented in scientific policy.

Hollis earned her MS in Biology from Louisiana State University, studying the impacts of combined stressors on eastern oysters in the Gulf of Mexico. She then joined the National Sea Grant Office in Washington, DC as a 2019 Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, where she worked to connect coastal stakeholders to improve the research-to-application process. She aims to merge these interests to continue studying the effects of climate change on aquaculture species, and the industry, to better prepare for a more resilient future.

Amanda received her B.S. in Marine Science, Biology, and Ecosystem Science and Policy from University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science in 2017 and her M.S. in Animal Biology from UC Davis in 2019. Her interests lie in understanding how species cope with changing environments on the molecular, organismal, and ecosystem level. She is especially interested in studying polar species, because their adaptation to stable environments could make them particularly vulnerable to a changing climate.

Cassidy graduated with her M.S. in biological science from CSU San Marcos in 2020.  During this time, she studied the thermal physiology and metabolic strategies of invasive fish which had been acclimated to both static and cycling temperatures. Cassidy is interested in how dynamic environmental demands will influence species’ biology, particularly in the context of climate change and conservation.