Meet the current Coastal Science and Policy M.S. Cohorts

Seblua Abebe

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Capstone Project: Estimating the Co-Benefits of Transitioning to Clean Cooking in Ethiopia

Seblua is developing a multi-criteria decision analysis and GIS system for assessing the economic co-benefits of clean cookstoves in Ethiopia. Her methods include (1) literature review, and (2) conducting stakeholder workshops to identify criteria and determine weights for analysis. The outcomes of this project can be used to guide decision-making concerning the adoption of clean cooking technologies and the development of interventions to encourage their uptake in any local context. Such an approach is ideal for maximizing individual benefits while also promoting climate mitigation across sub-Sahara Africa. 

Student Highlight: As a CSP student, Seblua is excited to sharpen her analytical skills and broaden her understanding of sustainability science, especially at the interface of land-water ecosystems and application to policy. Seblua’s passion for and current work developing clean, effective cookstoves and fuel pellets is helping curb indoor air pollution, protect the environment, and uplift poor communities in Ethiopia.

Prior Experience: Sebula currently works with Anega Energies Manufacturing (Anega) to advance new clean cookstove and fuel pellet technologies for households and institutions. The company applies principles of circular economy to reduce deforestation and resource consumption. Seblua and the team she works with at Anega have received numerous innovation awards. They are now launching a project to support more than 250,000 students through a school feeding program. Prior to joining Anega, Seblua served as an office and site civil engineer for several companies.

Alexandra Boutros

United States

Capstone Project: Advancing Future Community Engagement in Ecological Restoration

Ali is studying two community-engaged kelp restoration efforts in California. She is identifying how the approaches used to engage communities in these two efforts align with the practices identified in the ecosystem restoration literature regarding the ecological, social and legal processes that facilitated these restoration efforts. Understanding the key elements is important to inform and enhance the design, performance and impact of future kelp restoration projects in California. Findings will inform the development of the Kelp Restoration and Management Plan for the state of California as well as The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to implement kelp restoration. 

Student Highlight: Ali Boutros is an evolving marine conservationist and steward. Ali is excited about conservation, restoration and innovative uses of micro and macro algae.

Ali is part of the 2024 cohort of the Aspen Institute’s Future Climate Fellows! Fellows attend the Future Leaders Climate Summit in March, and then receive training, amplification, and support, with year-round programming and professional development opportunities. At the Summit, fellows will also develop local climate action plans, translating ideas for climate solutions into action throughout the rest of the year.

Prior Experience: After graduating from UCLA, she explored the implications of microalgae-based oils for reducing fossil fuel reliance and combating the pressing threats of climate change.

Hallie Brown

United States

Current Position: Tribal Coastal Stories Project Associate with California Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Capstone Project: Policy Pathways for Advancing Tribally-led Native Shellfish Aquaculture for Climate Resilient Ecosystems and Native Foodways in California

Hallie is assessing the barriers and opportunities for Tribally-led native shellfish aquaculture in California. Her methods include (1) exploring California Native American Tribal interest in shellfish aquaculture using unstructured interviews, (2) identifying gaps and opportunities in the State of California aquaculture and coastal policies through a policy review, and (3) determining transferable lessons learned from Tribally-led shellfish aquaculture in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii through unstructured interviews and a literature review. Additionally, Hallie will assess, through unstructured interviews, how this research can serve California Tribal interests and priorities. Findings will inform recommendations for pathways forward for California Native American Tribes, and policy recommendations for the California Natural Resources Agency. 

Student Highlight: Hallie is currently conducting a funding analysis for the Tribal Marine Stewards Network to assess potential sustained funding pathways for this alliance.

Prior Experience: As an AmeriCorps VISTA, she supported a environmental projects focused on food security and sovereignty for the 10 Federally recognized Tribes of the Kodiak Archipelago. She hopes to apply her experience in Alaska to a capstone project in California. She obtained a BA from UC Santa Barbara in Environmental Studies.

Clint Gallaron

Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

Philippines

Capstone Project: Co-Developing Guiding Principles for the Indigenous Marine Managed Area (IMMA) in Busuanga Island, Palawan, Philippines

Clint is creating guiding principles for IMMA establishment that respects the Tagbanwa’s cultural heritage, ensures their empowered involvement in co-management, and contributes to long-term biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries. His methods include (1) using a co-design approach to recognize relevant partners’ diverse perspectives and overlapping interests, and (2) leveraging a narrative approach in collecting information. Clint is ensuring the process aligns with an Indigenous paradigm, emphasizing ontological and epistemological relationality and ethical co-existence of Indigenous knowledge and Western science. 

Student Highlight: Clint Gallaron advocates for sustainable fishing and implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to coastal and marine biodiversity protection.

Clint is a National Geographic Explorer in 2024! He has been awarded a National Geographic Society Grant that aligns with his capstone project centered around elevating the voices of the Indigenous Tagbanwa community in the Philippines in marine conservation.  The objective of his project, “Empowering Stories of the Tagbanwa’s Ocean Stewardship in Busuanga Island,” is to collaboratively formulate guiding principles for establishing an Indigenous Marine Managed Area. This initiative seeks to uplift Tagbanwa’s long-standing relationship with its ocean territories through the innovative use of community-based photography and storytelling. The Marine Conservation Action Fund of the New England Aquarium also supports this project.

Clint says, “I was surprised and happy when the National Geographic Society approved my project with the Tagbanwa of the Philippines. It’s a meaningful acknowledgment of the project’s potential impact in empowering Indigenous People. It also underscores the fact that there’s more work ahead to uplift Indigenous voices in discussions about nature conservation and climate policy. Personally, being chosen as a National Geographic Explorer is just the beginning of a journey for me. I’m eager to see the future opportunities and partnerships that may unfold with the National Geographic Society.”

Prior Experience: Prior to joining CSP, he worked as a program officer for Community Centered Conservation (C3) Philippines Inc. There he led a team implementing locally managed marine protected areas; facilitated fisheries and coastal resource policies that build resilience, equity and inclusive participation; and formed local volunteer groups that championed ecosystem-based fisheries management.

Ariq Khalingga

Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

Indonesia

Capstone Project: Enhancing Environmental Management for Sustainable Coastal Resilience: A Comprehensive Policy Brief for Seagrass Protection and Rehabilitation

Ariq is addressing Indonesia’s urgent challenge of seagrass degradation within the growing Blue Economy sector. He is collaborating with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to take a multi-stakeholder approach, bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and policy. The project is focused on two solutions (1) establishing a Ministerial decree specifically focused on sustainable management and carbon pricing in the maritime sector, and (2) promoting the establishment and growth of mangroves and seagrasses in the newly trapped silt behind permeable structures. These appraoches will encourage the mainstreaming of nature-based solutions in coastal management by offering ecological, social, and economic in-field data that may inform similar projects on coastlines suffering comparable problems.

Student Highlight: Ariq published an article titled, QGIS Implementation For Assesing Stock Estimation Of Blue Carbon On Seagrass Ecosystem (A Case Study Approach), for the16th International Conference on Telecommunication Systems, Services, and Applications (TSSA).

Prior Experience: He currently works with Carbon Ethics in Indonesia and is eager to explore this capstone idea with Carbon Ethics and other partner organizations. Ariq received a Marine Science degree from Padjadjaran University.

Cindy Matuch

United States

Capstone Project: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy for Effective Plastic Pollution Reduction

Cindy’s capstone project is supporting policy efforts on the state, federal, and international policy interface – primarily with the United Nations INC meetings on plastic pollution for the Global Plastic Treaty. Her methods include creating a science-policy interface developed across expert groups to ensure that the best available science, traditional knowledge, knowledge of indigenous peoples, and local knowledge systems inform the Global Plastic Treaty objectives and provisions. This will be achieved through conversations and relationship-building with global scientists and relevant interested parties and by translating scientific knowledge into policy-relevant language. 

Student Highlight: Cindy is passionate about applying an interdisciplinary approach to reducing plastic pollution. As a CSP student, she is excited to connect policy, research, and action to tackle this issue during her capstone year. As of January 2023, Cindy serves as the Primary College member of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Prior Experience: Cindy worked as a Chemistry Laboratory Assistant on the interlaboratory method evaluation study for microplastics at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP). In this role, she worked with 22 laboratories around the world to address the requirements of California Senate Bill 1422 to develop the world’s first standardized methods for quantifying and characterizing microplastics in drinking water. Cindy’s interest in science grew after participating in the Monterey Bay Ocean Science Research Experience for Undergraduates program. After graduating from Orange Coast College with three A.S. degrees in Marine Science, Chemistry, and Biology, she transferred to CSUMB where she became a NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Scholar. Cindy graduated from CSUMB with a B.S. in Marine Science and a Minor in Statistics.

Angelo San Pablo

United States

Capstone Project: ‘Sea’ing Further: Closing Knowledge Gaps & Improving Sustainability along the Aquafeed Supply Chain

Angelo is working with one of the largest global aquafeed manufacturers to improve their SeaFurther Sustainability program to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Methods include (1) working with several of program’s customers on creating a baseline carbon footprint and a reduction roadmap to reduce their emissions, (2) identifying additional environmental impact categories that should be considered to mitigagte climate change when looking at the life cycle of aquafeeds, and (3) closing knowledge gaps along the aquafeed supply chain. The project’s results will integrate into the SeaFurther Sustainability program of Cargill Canada’s existing system.

Student Highlight: As a first generation Filipino-American, Angelo hopes to inspire and support others that are interested in ocean conservation and sustainable food systems. He also enjoys connecting with others through his love for the ocean, art, and food. 

Angleo has been named a ‘Future Leader’ from the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA) for 2024. He is one of just five graduate students nationally who were recognized as being poised to become future leaders in the industry. Angelo is currently working on his CSP capstone project with one of the largest global aquaculture feed manufacturers to improve and expand their carbon reporting systems.

“U.S. waters have great potential in providing a sustainable, nutritious supply of seafood through aquaculture,” said Angelo.  “In addition to improving the accessibility of seafood, aquaculture can also contribute to restorative and regenerative initiatives in the U.S.—strategies that are essential and can provide breakthroughs in the face of climate change.”

The work of CSA’s new Future Leaders also supports the CSA’s mission to take a stakeholder-led approach to sustainably and equitably launching offshore aquaculture in the U.S.

Prior Experience: Prior to receiving his B.S. in Marine Sciences from Stony Brook University, Angelo was involved in several research initiatives throughout his undergraduate career that focused on marine microbiology, coastal ecology (harmful algae blooms), and fisheries in the Philippines. He has also held former positions such as aquaculture manager for FOOP Organic Biosciences and lead technician/live feeds specialist for Blue Ocean Mariculture (the first Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified finfish cultivation facility in the United States).

Aldo Zavala Jiménez

Mexico

Capstone Project: Oceanic Manta Ray Conservation through Participatory Marine Spatial Planning in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico

Aldo is taking a collaborative approach to develop protection guidelines for oceanic manta rays in Bahia de Banderas. Methods include (1) collecting data on marine ship traffic, fishing sites, and oceanic manta ray movements in the bay, and (2) facilitating workshops to create oceanic manta protection guidelines co-designed and accepted by fishermen, boat captains, and scientists. The project’s outcome will establish science-based guidelines for marine traffic and fishing with nets in the bay that is supported and self-enforced by stakeholders and improves the conservation of marine megafauna. 

Student Highlight: Aldo is passionate about studying and protecting oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) that aggregates seasonally in Bahia de Banderas, Mexico. In the CSP program, Aldo seeks to learn the methods to create opportunities for communities to engage in decision-making and implementation of mitigation strategies that have positive impacts for local manta populations and reinforce community feelings of belonging, responsibility, and leadership over their coastal resources.

Prior Experience: He has experience working with Proyecto Manta Pacific Mexico (an affiliate project of The Manta Trust) to study this species.

Temiloluwa Jesutofunmi Akinyemi

Nigeria

Capstone theme/topic of interest: For her capstone project, Temiloluwa will examine the role of cognitive biases in distorting fishers’ decisions on destructive fishing practices and its impact on the ecosystem in West Africa.

Highlight: With a demonstrated expertise in research in fisheries management, Temiloluwa is a dedicated researcher who is passionate about studying the intricacies of decision- making processes in the fishing industry.

Prior Experience: Temiloluwa has worked as a project officer and research officer across diverse sectors including education, fisheries, and aquaculture management. She is distinguished as a World Bank Scholar and Research Analyst. She has an MPhil in Fisheries Science from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, where her areas of focus were data quality and fisheries management. She has worked closely with prominent figures in the field and has published in respected journals. Notably, Temiloluwa worked with the Environmental Justice Foundation in Ghana to raise awareness among coastal dwellers about bycatch, the use of destructive fishing methods, the unsustainable harvesting of marine mammals and turtles, and how to skillfully incorporate technology to support sustainable fishing practices. Recently, she was invited to do an oral presentation on the abstract of a paper titled; Fisheries Data Quality Issues in The Artisanal Fisheries Sector of Ghana at the 3rd Biennial Conference on Fisheries and Coastal Environment (CFCE), on the theme “Inclusive Blue Economy in Africa: Towards Sustainable Transformation of the Marine Environment.

Adrienne Chenette

Repass-Rodgers Fellowship on Central Valley Salmon Restoration Policies

United States 

Meghan Elizabeth DeCoite

United States 

Capstone theme: Her capstone interest focuses on marine debris associated with the aquaculture industry in Chile.

Highlight: She enjoys using collected marine debris to make art and has worked as a deckhand in the Channel Islands region for the past three years.

Prior Experience: She worked on the topic of marine debris in Chile with  Plastic Oceans Chile and in California with the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Erika Gutierrez

United States 

Capstone theme: Erika is interested in working with small-scale fisheries in Mexico to develop sustainable and equitable fishing practices and management for highly targeted species. These species include sailfish and mahi-mahi whose populations are declining due to overfishing and climate change. 

Highlight: She is especially passionate about this topic because her family comes from Manzanillo, Colima in Mexico which is sometimes referred to as “the sailfish capital of the world.”

Prior Experience: She previously researched billfish trends in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the importance of blue tang and goby in the aquarium trade in Indonesia at Hopkins Marine Station. In 2021, she graduated from CSU Monterey Bay with a B.S. in Marine Science and a minor in statistics.

Vannhi Tran Huynh

Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

United States 

Capstone theme: Vannhi Huynh was born in Sai Gon, Vietnam, is deeply committed to environmental conservation, with a particular interest in researching and finding solutions to coastal climate habitat issues, especially mangrove conservation in Viet Nam.

Highlight: She is a scientific diver and loves exploring the underwater world. 

Prior Experience: Vannhi has a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, San Diego and worked as a field researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She contributed to many projects ranging from conservation of mangrove habitat globally to researching climate effects on the Mano de Leon scallops.

Jennifer-Justine Kirsch

Schmidt Marine Innovation Fellow

Germany 

Capstone theme: In her current role as the Director of International Programs at Fish Welfare Initiative, Jennifer is working with fish farmers in India to transform their farming practices towards higher welfare. Taking this work a step further, with her capstone, Jennifer plans to explore whether there are alternative agricultural livelihoods for rural farmers that do not involve farming aquatic animals.

Highlight: Jennifer is passionate about transforming our food system to be more ethical and sustainable. In addition, she grew up in a small town in the German Black Forest.

Prior Experience: She worked in various countries exploring agriculture and aquaculture systems over the past years. Jennifer is especially excited about the potential to transform conventional into regenerative systems and thereby sustain small-scale farmers’ livelihoods.

Nathaniel I Kollie

Liberia 

Capstone theme: Aquaculture as an alternative or additional livelihood for coastal communities.

Highlight: He aspires to promote environmental and social sustainability through ecosystems-based solutions and applying his expertise to support local communities.

Prior Experience: He worked for the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia as head of one of the county offices. Currently, he is the Co-lead of the Blue Oceans Programme at Conservation International (CI), working with nine coastal communities under the Communities Fisheries Improvement Project (CFIP).

Sabrina Lopez

Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

United States 

Capstone theme: Her area of interest is wetland restoration in the context of environmental justice and climate change mitigation and adaptation policy and planning.

Highlight: Sabrina was born and raised in Hayward, California, but has lived in Santa Cruz the last 8 years. A fun fact about her is that she loves to dance, play music, and do pottery in her free time.

Prior Experience: She worked with the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency for the past 3 years, holds a bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, and has served as an executive member of two local environmental advocacy organizations.

Juan Carlos Marti

Schmidt Marine Innovation Fellow

Costa Rica 

Capstone theme: He wants to create the first social franchise for small-scale fisheries (SFSSF), combining shared governance, enhanced management capacities, market access, and legal and sustainability compliance under a brand and processes aiming for scalability. This model involves the connection of conscious consumers with premium quality, fair-trade, and responsibly-caught local seafood from the franchises.

Highlight: He is an Industrial Design Engineer who is passionate about the intersection of innovation, the Ocean and impact, which led him to establish his startup, Remora Fishing Traceability.

Prior Experience: He has spent the last five years working in the fisheries industry, from developing technology for small-scale fisheries to creating electronic logbooks for the semi-industrial fleet in Costa Rica. Before that, he ran an innovation consultancy and directed a business incubator at TEC University in Costa Rica.

Chamonix Toledo

United States of America

Capstone theme: For her CSP capstone, she hopes to continue to engage with Ulithian fisheries and fishing practices, and collaborate with the community to co-develop a project which supports their subsistence fisheries and utilizes both modern and traditional methods to encourage a healthy reef. She is passionate about collaborating with resilient island communities to enhance marine stewardship, support fisheries management, and engage traditional and indigenous knowledge systems.

Highlight: This summer she is producing a science-communication podcast with National Geographic to archive the stories of Ulithian elders and support the connection between youth and their elders.  

Prior Experience: During her studies as an undergraduate, she collaborated with the non-profit, One People One Reef (OPOR), which works with the communities of Ulithi Atoll, Yap, FSM. Alongside the Ulithian community and OPOR science team, she began to explore the fishing practices of Ulithi Atoll and the role that spearfishing and other non-traditional fishing practices have had on their reefs. During the summer of 2022, she was able to conduct focus groups with Micronesian community members who currently reside in Kona, Hawaii, to develop a broader understanding of the perceptions of spearfishing.

Ruben Pelle Vruggink

Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow

Netherlands 

Capstone theme: He is eager to utilize nature-based and geophysical solutions to address sea level rise adaptation issues. Specifically, he is interested in creating a sand bypass along the Mugu canyon in California to improve sediment in the Zuma Littoral Cell.

Highlight: As an avid surfer and surf instructor, Ruben’s interest in coasts and oceans is significant and has been influenced by his travels and teaching surf around the globe. 

Prior Experience: Ruben completed his Earth and Environmental Science bachelor’s degree in 2023.