March 20, 2026
WSG is excited to share that PhD candidate Mariah Ricci is the first Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Fellow!
As the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from greenhouse gases, it becomes more acidic, causing harm to marine functions and ecosystems. Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) describes the variety of technologies and approaches being explored to either remove carbon dioxide from the ocean or enhance the ocean’s ability to absorb it. As the 2026 Banyu Carbon mCDR Fellow, Mariah will work at the intersection of mCDR research and community engagement, convening a diverse group of coastal community members, rightsholders, modelers, and model users to advance community-informed mCDR modeling. She will also aid in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) development, overall increasing community engagement with mCDR initiatives in the Salish Sea region.
Mariah is a marine biogeochemist completing her PhD at the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. She grew up in Minnesota, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and biology. She has served as an analytical lead and data manager and spent extensive time at sea for major multi-institutional research campaigns, including as part of the international GEOTRACES program. Her research investigates how marine particles transport and transform nutrients across underexplored ocean regions, advancing our understanding of global biogeochemical cycles and their role in climate regulation.
Welcome, Mariah! We can’t wait to see what you accomplish.
- Learn more about Mariah.
- Learn more about the WSG Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Fellowship.
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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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