August 15, 2024

Washington Sea Grant (WSG) is excited to announce that Jezella Peraza, a recent graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, has been selected as the 2024 WSG Keystone Fellow. Jezella began working with host Seattle Aquarium August 1.

The WSG Keystone Fellowship seeks to build pathways into marine science, policy and related industry careers for individuals who are historically underrepresented in those fields. 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 diverse graduates and early-career professionals who are interested and engaged in ocean and coastal vocations.

The program’s goals are to:

• Create pathways into marine science, policy and industry careers for individuals who are historically underrepresented or underserved in these fields
• Identify and elevate high-potential emerging leaders in marine science and policy
• Respond to relevant program or project needs of key WSG partners who share and seek to advance the goals and values of the WSG Keystone Fellowship program

Jezella grew up in the southeastern part of California, an area not characterized by vibrant coastal ecosystems. Her experiences in a small desert community fueled her passion for marine and environmental systems and her advocacy for social and environmental justice. Jezella pursued her interest in aquatic sciences by earning a bachelor’s degree in marine science at California State University, Monterey Bay. During her undergraduate studies, she interned with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. At NOAA, Jezella worked with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in Silver Spring, Maryland, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary system, where she was involved in projects related to education and outreach. She also conducted research with NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center studying bivalve spatial distributions along the Northeast Atlantic continental shelf. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Jezella interned under the Chief Conservation and Science Officer and the Senior Outreach Manager, developing outreach materials for social media, engaging in local policy efforts, and creating internship opportunities for BIPOC students.

Jezella recently graduated with a master’s in aquatic and fishery sciences, where she used modeling techniques to quantify interaction risks between fish and tidal energy devices in Admiralty Inlet, Puget Sound, WA. Her findings can support the permitting and approval process for marine renewable energy projects in the United States. Research aside, Jezella also served as her department’s Equity and Inclusion graduate representative, co-developing an Undergraduate Community Building Event to foster a sense of community among students and postdocs.

As the 2024 WSG Keystone Fellow, Jezella will work with the Seattle Aquarium on an integrated conservation effort for pinto abalone. In collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, Jezella will help shape and implement engagement strategies to support pinto abalone recovery and honor cultural connections. Additionally, she will collaborate with the aquarium’s Community Engagement team, including the Connections and Empathy Fellowship programs, whose missions are to provide opportunities for underserved communities to engage with the aquarium.

Congratulations, Jezella! 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. The National Sea Grant College Program is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

www.wsg.uw.edu.

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