I found out about NOAA Corps in my Remote Sensing course at UMW. My education in Biology and Geography helped me to be a strong candidate for the Corps. I conducted undergraduate research in both the Biology and Geography programs, so having those experiences and working closely with my advisors really opened my eyes to the possibilities in the field of Ecology/ Biogeography. My professors really helped by pushing me to be the best student I could be and aided me to reach my potential.
During my senior year I had an internship with The Nature Conservancy working with NOAA Corps multi beam bathymetry data, USGS sediment data, and TNC benthic invertebrate species. I analyzed and manipulated data sets to characterize habitat structures and map species distribution by comparing the topography of the sea floor to where species reside and why that is important to understand.
I am now a Commissioned Officer in the NOAA Corps. I am assigned on the NOAA Ship Rainier, a hydrographic vessel. RAINIER collects multi beam sonar data to map the seafloor and update nautical charts. Our work is a continuation of my studies at UMW. In 2019, Rainier moved to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands where we are conducting research on coral reefs, fish populations, invasive species, sea floor mapping, ocean acidification, ecosystem integrity, and much more.
The UMW Geography program was a huge influence on me and helped me get to where I am now. I cannot thank the faculty enough for their passion and enthusiasm for teaching.