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THE ISLAND TIDES

Newsletter of the SEAS Islands Alliance 
February 2023

Alliance Happenings: Science Communication Workshop

 
I went into this workshop with a specific topic and project in mind. However, because of this workshop I am now able to better tailor my message to my newly identified audience for maximum impact.” - COMPASS Workshop Attendee

I loved this workshop, it gave me a different perspective on how to communicate with different audiences.” - COMPASS Workshop Attendee

Understanding communication coming from a very knowledgeable point of view and allowing audiences to interpret and understand was a challenge for me. I’m glad I participated in the COMPASS workshop as it gave me the tools I didn’t know I had to better prepare for those presentations. Which I’m highly appreciative for.” - COMPASS Workshop Attendee 

The Alliance kicked off the month of February with a science communication training presented by COMPASS Science Communication. Thirteen SEAS students attended the two day event to learn how to identify and engage their audience using metaphors and other sticky snippets. They also learned how to use the COMPASS message box to hone in on their message to make it memorable. Attendees also were able to receive feedback on their messages during breakout sessions and the presenters’ office hours. Workshop attendees left feeling they could better understand how people perceive and engage with new information and to adapt their messages to different audiences.
Guam Hub Welcomes new Fellows and Families
The Guam Hub hosted its first Joint Family Orientation with Guam EPSCoR to welcome all their year-long undergraduate fellows. The 11 fellows were welcomed into their early science career with their support system by their side; some joined with their parents, grandparents, and even their close friends. The five NSF INCLUDES fellows that are joining our alliance this year are: 
  • Carl Del Rosario is a second year Integrative Biology major and will work with Dr. Bastian Bentlage.
  • Kedrick Diego is a first year Chemistry Dual Degree: Biology and Chemistry major and will work with Dr. Christopher Lobban.
  • Jessica Muyco is a first year Biology: Bio-Medical major and will work with Dr. Brett Taylor.
  • Thuy Nguyen is a fourth year Civil Engineering major and will work with Dr. Ujwalkumar Patil.
  • Ariel Santiago is a first year General Education major and will work with Dr. Else Demeulenaere.
Guam’s 2022 Undergraduate Fellow, Khazmyne Kawamoto (Khaz) and Guam’s 2021 Undergraduate Fellow and 2022 Bridge to PhD participant, Anela Duenas, spoke about their past experience with the Alliance and advice they wished they heard before starting. Khaz advised the students that “it doesn't hurt to practice presenting in front of friends and family before the day comes; try to not procrastinate with all the email and stuff given to you, it does pile up; don't forget to have fun.” Anela encouraged the new cohort of undergraduates to continue to ask questions despite being intimidated by their mentor and make the most out of their experience by participating in all events/opportunities.
Pictured: A group photo of Guam Hub’s Joint EPSCoR and NSF INCLUDES Family Orientation (above). Ariel Santiago and Kedrick Diego introduce themselves at the first Joint EPSCoR and NSF INCLUDES Family Orientation (bottom left). Khazmyne shares her experiences as a 2021 UG Fellow alumni at the Guam Hub’s Joint EPSCoR and NSF INCLUDES Family Orientation (bottom right).  
SEAS Spotlight: Nicholas Durgadeen
As a recent graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), I was eager to apply the skills I learned from my courses and mentors at UVI. So immediately after graduating I started a five-month internship at the National Park Service (NPS). Treating diseased corals and tracking the progression rate of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) were just some of my responsibilities at NPS. Many of the skills I learned at NPS, like coral disease identification and how to operate a federal vessels are now invaluable to me with my current position at UVI. Currently, I am working as Coral Restoration Technician Specialist. As a Coral Restoration Tech, I get to further develop my skills as a scientific diver by restoring areas in St. Thomas and St. John there were historically dominated by coral reefs and are culturally significant to the USVI.

Making Waves

The Guam Hub’s Graduate Research Assistant, Anthony “Ton” Ritter, participated in the 2023 Coastal GeoTools conference in Charleston, South Carolina. The conference focuses on tribal and indigenous needs to address coastal issues with geospatial technology and improve engagement strategies with these communities.

The Alliance’s Special Session to the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) 2023 conference has been accepted. This session is entitled “Stories from the Braided River: nonlinear, enriching workforce pathways and narratives in coastal science and management” and is being convened by Guam student Anthony Ritter, Puerto Rico and USVI workforce fellows Stephanie Lopez Rivera and Delsabriana Gonzales, with Lora Harris. The special session seeks to highlight stories and experiences from members of the coastal science community who have found their careers following nonlinear pathways. Please look ahead and think about whether you might submit an abstract to share your own “braided river” story at CERF!

Portia Miles (Youth Ocean Explorers, St. Thomas) was accepted into the NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program.

The USVI Hub had three graduate students graduate in December 2022: Jendahye Antoine, who participated in Coral Week Discovery Week (a precursor to the Youth Ocean Explorers program), was a SEAS undergraduate student for several summers, and a SEAS graduate student; Areyls Chaparro who participated in the Bridge Program; and Danielle Olive, who works for the Department of Planning & Natural Resources and has been a mentor for our SEAS undergraduate students. LeeAnn Sheets, a SEAS undergraduate student, also graduated with her B.S. in Marine Biology, Magna cum Laude. Congratulations to all!

In case you missed them, check out the two new interviews with graduate student, Shamoy Bideau, and undergraduate student, Miranda Goad, on the SEAS Islands Alliance website!

On The Horizon



February 28 - University of the Virgin Islands Emerging Caribbean Scientists application deadline for Summer 2023 - application form can be found here

March 1 - University of the Virgin Islands Master’s of Marine & Environmental Studies Admissions deadline for Fall 2023

April 14-15 2023 - SEAS Islands Alliance Virtual Summit
The SEAS Islands Alliance is an NSF INCLUDES Alliance funded by the National Science Foundation Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES). 

Visit our website at seasislandsalliance.org for more information. Please reply to this email if you have any questions, if you are interested in getting more involved with the SEAS Islands Alliance, have information you'd like to share in an upcoming newsletter, or If you would like to be removed from the email list.






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