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EDUCATION
B.S. Marine and Coastal Science 2021 – 2023
University of California, Davis
Thesis Project: A Comparative Analysis on the Oceanographic Conditions Experienced by White Abalone (Haliotis sorenseni)
A.A. Interdisciplinary Studies Science & Quantitative Reasoning 2019 – 2021
A.A. General Science
A.S. Biology
Solano Community College, Fairfield
PUBLICATIONS
Zulian M, Kennedy EG, Hamilton SL, Hill TM, Grisby GV, et al. (2025) Assessing benthic invertebrate vulnerability to ocean acidification and de-oxygenation in California: The importance of effective oceanographic monitoring networks. PLOS ONE 20(2): e0317906. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317906.
Korabik AR, Dias SM, Grisby GV, Grosholz ED (2024) Increased temperatures impact the reproduction of localized estuarine kelp populations more than salinity or invasive species. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 744:33-51. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14659.
Kennedy, E. G., Zulian, M., Hamilton, S. L., Hill, T. M., Delgado, M., Fish, C. R., Gaylord, B., Kroeker, K. J., Palmer, H. M., Ricart, A. M., Sanford, E., Spalding, A. K., Ward, M., Carrasco, G., Elliott, M., Grisby, G. V., Harris, E., Jahncke, J., Rocheleau, C. N., Westerink, S., and Wilmot, M. I.: A high-resolution synthesis dataset for multistressor analyses along the US West Coast, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 219–243, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-219-2024, (2024).
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, PANELS, AND OUTREACH
Panelist, Delta GEMS Career Panel
Delta GEMS Initiative | Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center, CA | November 9, 2024
Invited to speak on a panel for high school students and discussed careers within marine science.
Facilitator, CV and Resume Builder Workshop
Aquarium of the Pacific CELP Scholar Program | Virtual | August 8, 2024
Led a comprehensive workshop on CV and resume creation, tailored to early-career professionals.
Presenter, Exploring Marine Science
Social Justice STEAM Camp | Virtual | July 8, 2024
Invited to speak to middle school students and discuss pursuing marine science as a career.
Presenter and Video Creator, A Year of Seeing the Ocean
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society Symposium | The Times Center, NY | June 1, 2024
Shared accomplishments throughout the scholarship year focusing on the importance of multiple perspectives within the ocean space as well as the importance of grassroots organizations.
Presenter and Panelist, 2023 Aquarium of the Pacific Scholar Symposium
Aquarium of the Pacific Scholar Symposium | Aquarium of the Pacific, CA | November 19, 2023
Shared accomplishments through receiving the scholarship and participated in a panel discussing scuba diving, navigating academia, and offered advice.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Junior Specialist 2024 – Present
White Abalone Culture Lab, Bodega Marine Laboratory - Bodega Bay, CA
Care for captive white abalone, including feeding, cleaning, and maintaining aquaculture systems (seawater filtration, pumps, temperature regulation, UV sterilization, LED lighting).
Collect and culture aquatic food sources, including wild kelp and dulse, for abalone nutrition; perform fieldwork to acquire harvested kelp from local sites.
Support laboratory operations, including inventory management, equipment maintenance, grant writing, and compliance with state and federal permits.
Assist in the design and execution of laboratory experiments, including coordinating spawning attempts and animal transfers between partner facilities.
Manage and analyze research data using software tools such as Excel and R and contribute to database management and independent research projects.
San Francisco Bay Shark Research Volunteer 2025 – Present
Dr. Meghan Holst - San Francisco, CA
Assist monthly in field-based elasmobranch research focused on habitat use, physiological responses, and population dynamics the broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus).
Participate in biological sampling efforts including morphometric data collection and muscle biopsies while ensuring animal welfare and research integrity.
Operate as part of the scientific boating crew aboard a 31-ft research vessel, managing anchoring, fishing, shark handling, and on-deck safety procedures.
Laboratory and Scientific Assistant 2023
Ocean Climate Lab at UC Davis- Bodega Bay, CA
Carried out metadata searches for the lab’s ongoing research projects related to oceanographic data synthesis, benthic invertebrate vulnerability, and coastal erosion.
Compiled public oceanographic datasets and conducted quality control and analysis in R.
Identified references and citations and helped prepare manuscript for publication.
Undergraduate Research Assistant 2022 – 2023
Dr. Angela Korabik, Graduate Group in Ecology - Hybrid
Measured kelp gametophytes using ImageJ and entered data into Excel for further analysis.
Conducted transect surveys and quadrat sampling of algae and invertebrates within Tomales Bay, CA.
Served as a crew member on several operations and operated a small research vessel as needed.
Undergraduate Research Course 2022
Ocean Climate Lab at UC Davis - Bodega Bay, CA
Project Title: Oxygen Thresholds for Decapods of Different Species, Sizes, and Habitats
Assessed decapod thresholds across various habitats and utilized metadata to generate graphs in R, illustrating the correlation between habitat types and species’ thresholds.
Aquaculture Care Assistant 2021 – 2023
UC Davis Center for Aquatic Biology & Aquaculture - Davis, CA
Sustained populations of sturgeons and salmonids held for research through aquaculture maintenance, recording dissolved oxygen levels, temperature, and pressure gauge readings.
Performed daily cleaning tasks to ensure the quality of life for the fish and lab cleanliness.
Managed schedules for 10 employees and delegated weekly and monthly maintenance tasks to ensure optimal aquatic environment conditions.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Seasonal Dive Safety Officer 2024
Oregon Coast Aquarium - Newport, OR
Oversaw on-site dives and supported staff and over 30 volunteer divers with exhibit maintenance, hookah diving, and emergency procedures.
Enforced safety standards across multiple departments via team risk assessments and equipment checks to fulfill diving operations and contribute to aquarium safety and objectives.
Conducted open water surveys in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and permitted aquarium animal collections.
Coordinated boating operations on a 29-foot vessel, developing skills in environmental monitoring, clear communication in a maritime setting, and collaboration with local researchers.
North American Our World-Underwater Scholar 2023 – 2024
Oregon Coast Aquarium - Newport, OR
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society™ - Chicago, IL
Designed and fulfilled a year-long project to work with global leaders in shark conservation, coastal community outreach, and advanced diving.
Worked on specialized assignments involving data management, fisheries monitoring, and underwater surveys.
Produced two short documentaries capturing the year, focused on human and marine biodiversity using learned storytelling, camera, and drone skills.
Worked with non-profits, businesses, and individuals within central and remote parts of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Southern Africa focused on ocean conservation and community science.
Maintained consistent and effective communication with hosts, sponsors, and supervisors across diverse time zones, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional experiences.
Managed a five-figure budget ensuring efficient allocation and utilization of resources as well as organized own travel and accommodation logistics.
Environmental Technician 2022 – 2023
Ocean and Earth Environmental Services - Remote
Assisted in monitoring natural resources through data input and reviewing community surveys.
Input years of water quality data from the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indigenous Tribes of Alaska into company data base.
Diversity Committee Intern 2022
The Research Coordination Network for Evolution in Changing Seas - Remote
Worked on Github to help upload new member information to the organization's website.
Made connections with individuals and promoted them on social media pages and worked alongside the RCN Diversity Committee to push for more diversity in a research setting.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Volunteer Video Editor 2024 – Present
Love the Oceans - Remote
Create engaging video content for social media, including Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, to help share Love The Oceans’ mission and grow our online presence.
Edit compelling campaign videos for fundraising initiatives, awareness, and conservation storytelling, ensuring strong visual narratives that resonate with our audience.
Collaborate with the social media team to create content that aligns with brand identity and goals.
Inclusive Coasts and Seas: Connecting Diverse Voices Attendee 2025
MISS x SIARC - Remote
Selected to attend multi-day virtual workshops hosted by Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) and Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities (SIARC) that focus on inclusive marine conservation, skills tutorials, networking.
Covered topics including: community science, local ecological knowledge approaches, management and policy initiatives, biological research, qualitative and quantitative methods and analyses, fundraising and grant writing, community organizing, and inclusive marine conservation.
Fieldwork and Outreach Volunteer 2023
Whale Shark Mexico - La Paz, BCS, MX
Utilized whale shark population survey methods, including ID photos, gender determination, size measurement, body injury analysis, and monitoring. Participated in outreach and community activities in nearby areas, including social media engagement and beach clean-ups.
Minorities in Shark Science: Diversifying Ocean Science Cohort 2022 – 2023
The Field School Foundation - Miami, FL
Participating in a hybrid program to improve ocean science skills and receive mentorship. At the end of the program, will be attending a week-long program at the University of Miami to gain hands-on experience in field ecology.
Undergraduate Course in Fisheries Population and Ecosystem Dynamics 2022
Rutgers University: Institute of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences - New Brunswick, NJ
Selected to attend a NOAA and Sea Grant funded course (Rutgers 2022) in fisheries populations and ecosystems dynamics. Learned about a range of quantitative approaches in fisheries using R and Microsoft Excel.
Davis Scuba Club President 2022 – 2023
UC-Davis Center for Student Involvement - Davis, CA
Organizing club meetings and dive trips for over thirty participants, informing others on how to become open water certified, and planning group dives. Applied to grants to reduce financial barriers and make scuba diving more accessible.
Mentee for the Research Coordinated Network: Lotterhos Lab 2021 – 2022
The Research Coordination Network for Evolution in Changing Seas - Remote
Remotely led and participated in professional development seminars. Gave feedback on manuscripts and lab results related to marine evolutionary biology and conservation genetics research.
AWARDS
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society Scholarship ($30,000) 2023
Aquarium of the Pacific: African American Scholarship ($10,000) 2023
Bodega Marine Lab Ambassador Scholarship ($3,000) 2022
Sierra Club Solano Group, Environmental Scholarship ($650) 2021
CERTIFICATIONS
Scientific Motorboat Operator (MOTC) 2025
DAN Diving First Aid 2025
SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor 2024
AAUS Scientific Diver 2023
PADI Divemaster 2023
SDI Divemaster 2023
FRTI CPR & First Aid Instructor 2023
PADI Drysuit Diver 2023
PADI Rescue Diver 2023