February 3, 2025
Washington Sea Grant (WSG) is excited to announce that Erick Dowell, a recent graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, has been selected as the 2025 WSG Keystone Fellow. Erick will be working with host Puget Sound Restoration Fund.
The WSG Keystone Fellowship seeks to build pathways into marine science, policy and related industry careers for individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. This paid fellowship offers a unique educational opportunity by matching highly motivated and qualified individuals with host offices throughout Washington state. The program offers first-hand experience working on projects that help fellows better understand, conserve and utilize Washington’s ocean and coastal resources. The fellowship is open to graduates and early-career professionals who are interested and engaged in ocean and coastal vocations.
The WSG Keystone Fellowship’s goals are to: create more pathways into marine science, policy and industry careers; identify and elevate high-potential emerging leaders in marine science and policy; and respond to relevant program or project needs of key WSG partners who share and seek to advance the goals of the WSG Keystone Fellowship program.
Erick grew up in North Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Spanish, chemistry, and marine sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During his undergraduate studies, Erick conducted research on deep-sea microbial communities and the impacts of downstream dam passage on fish species. He later worked as an outdoor educator, naturalist, and ship captain, eventually earning his captain’s license. Erick recently graduated from the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, focusing his thesis on opportunities for macroalgae aquaculture in the Pacific Northwest. As the 2025 WSG Keystone Fellow, he will collaborate with Puget Sound Restoration Fund on innovative restorative mariculture projects.
Congratulations, Erick! We can’t wait to see what you accomplish.
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Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, helps people and marine life thrive through research, technical expertise and education supporting the responsible use and conservation of coastal ecosystems. Washington Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer.
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FEB
2025