December featured student mentor - Anita Wray
Our National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) mentor for December 2023 is Anita Wray, Genetics Data Analyst at the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission/NOAA. Anita has worked in the field of conservation genetics for over 4 years and has been in her current position for a year. Anita says that in her job she produces and analyzes genetic data to protect fisheries in the US! Right now she is working on the Vermilion/Sunset Rockfish complex in Southern California.
When asked what she loves most about her job Anita says,
“I love that my work directly informs fisheries regulations and practices. I was able to get into the field this summer and work alongside fishermen who catch these fish every day and are as passionate as I am about protecting these fish.”
Anita holds a B.S. in Organismal Biology and Ecology from Colorado College and an M.S. in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences from The University of Washington. Anita chose Colorado College because of the unique class schedule. Taking one class at a time, for 3.5 weeks, 6 hours a day, enabled her to gain critical research and field experience while in school. She also really enjoyed the small school environment and the ability to really connect with her professors. Anita chose UW for graduate school because there was an advisor whose research topics closely aligned with her interests. For both schools, she had never visited the state before enrolling!
Advice Anita would give her younger self includes,
“Start early and start broad! If you are interested in research, it's best to start as early as you can by volunteering or applying for internships.
“Even if the specific topic isn't exactly your dream (i.e. plankton counts instead of marine mammal research) these experiences can provide amazing connections and skills that can be incredibly useful in the future. There are many programs that offer marine based internships for high school students, you just have to know where to look!”
Interested in connecting with Anita for more information or advice? NMEA Student members are given the opportunity to connect with our student mentors! Email us to find out how to become a student member: students@marine-ed.org.