EDUCATION

2021 – 2023 B.S. Marine and Coastal Science

University of California, Davis

Thesis Project: A Comparative Analysis on the Oceanographic Conditions Experienced by White Abalone (Haliotis sorenseni)

2019 – 2021 A.A. Interdisciplinary Studies Science & Quantitative Reasoning

A.A. General Science

A.S. Biology

Solano Community College, Fairfield

PUBLICATIONS

Zulian M, Kennedy EG, Hamilton SL, Hill TM, Grisby GV, et al. (2025) Assessing benthic invertebrate vulnerability to ocean acidification and de-oxygenation in California: The importance of effective oceanographic monitoring networks. PLOS ONE 20(2): e0317906. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317906.

Korabik AR, Dias SM, Grisby GV, Grosholz ED (2024) Increased temperatures impact the reproduction of localized estuarine kelp populations more than salinity or invasive species. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 744:33-51. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14659.

Kennedy, E. G., Zulian, M., Hamilton, S. L., Hill, T. M., Delgado, M., Fish, C. R., Gaylord, B., Kroeker, K. J., Palmer, H. M., Ricart, A. M., Sanford, E., Spalding, A. K., Ward, M., Carrasco, G., Elliott, M., Grisby, G. V., Harris, E., Jahncke, J., Rocheleau, C. N., Westerink, S., and Wilmot, M. I.: A high-resolution synthesis dataset for multistressor analyses along the US West Coast, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 219–243, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-219-2024, (2024).

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2024 - Present Junior Specialist

White Abalone Culture Lab, Bodega Marine Laboratory - Bodega Bay, CA

• Care for captive white abalone, including feeding, cleaning, and maintaining aquaculture systems (seawater filtration, pumps, temperature regulation, UV sterilization, LED lighting).

• Collect and culture aquatic food sources, including wild kelp and dulse, for abalone nutrition; perform fieldwork to acquire harvested kelp from local sites.

• Support laboratory operations, including inventory management, equipment maintenance, grant writing, and compliance with state and federal permits.

• Assist in the design and execution of laboratory experiments, including coordinating spawning attempts and animal transfers between partner facilities.

• Manage and analyze research data using software tools such as Excel and R and contribute to database management and independent research projects.

2023 Laboratory and Scientific Assistant

Ocean Climate Lab at UC Davis- Bodega Bay, CA

• Carried out metadata searches for the lab’s ongoing research projects related to oceanographic data synthesis, benthic invertebrate vulnerability, and coastal erosion.

• Compiled public oceanographic datasets and conducted quality control and analysis in R.

• Identified references and citations and helped prepare manuscript for publication.

2022 – 2023 Undergraduate Research Assistant

PhD Candidate, Graduate Group in Ecology - Hybrid

• Measured kelp gametophytes using ImageJ and entered data into Excel for further analysis.

• Conducted numerous transect surveys and quadrat sampling of algae and invertebrates within Tomales Bay, CA.

• Served as a crew member on several operations and operated a small research vessel as needed.

2022 Undergraduate Research Course

Ocean Climate Lab at UC Davis - Bodega Bay, CA

Project Title: Oxygen Thresholds for Decapods of Different Species, Sizes, and Habitats

• Assessed decapod thresholds across various habitats and utilized metadata to generate graphs in R, illustrating the correlation between habitat types and species’ thresholds.

2021 – 2023 Aquaculture Care Assistant

UC Davis Center for Aquatic Biology & Aquaculture - Davis, CA

• Sustained populations of sturgeons and salmonids held for research through aquaculture maintenance, recording dissolved oxygen levels, temperature, and pressure gauge readings.

• Performed daily cleaning tasks to ensure the quality of life for the fish and lab cleanliness.

• Managed schedules for 10 employees and delegated weekly and monthly maintenance tasks to ensure optimal aquatic environment conditions.

WORK EXPERIENCE

2024 Seasonal Dive Safety Officer

Oregon Coast Aquarium - Newport, OR

• Oversaw on-site dives and supported staff and over 30 volunteer divers with exhibit maintenance, hookah diving, and emergency procedures.

• Enforced safety standards across multiple departments via team risk assessments and equipment checks to fulfill diving operations and contribute to aquarium safety and objectives.

• Assisted in additional projects including conducting open water surveys for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and permitted aquarium animal collections.

• Gained hands-on experience working on a 29-foot vessel developing skills in environmental monitoring, clear communication in a maritime setting, and coordinating boat operations.

2023 – 2024 North American Our World-Underwater Scholar

Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society™ - Chicago, IL

• Designed and fulfilled a year-long project to work with global leaders in shark conservation, coastal community outreach, and advanced diving.

• Focused on specialized assignments where I gained skills in data management, fish species identification, and underwater surveys.

• Produced two short documentaries capturing the scholarship year, focused on human and marine biodiversity using learned storytelling, camera, and drone skills.

• Gained experience working within central and remote parts of South East Asia, Latin America, and Southern Africa with a variety of NGOs, businesses, and individuals.

• Managed a five-figure budget ensuring efficient allocation and utilization of resources.

2022 – 2023 Environmental Technician

Ocean and Earth Environmental Services - Remote

• Assisted in monitoring natural resources through data input and reviewing community surveys.

• Input years of water quality data from the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indigenous Tribes of Alaska into company data base.

2022 Diversity Committee Intern  

The Research Coordination Network for Evolution in Changing Seas - Remote

• Worked on Github to help upload new member information to the organization's website.

• Made connections with individuals and promoted them on social media pages and worked alongside the RCN Diversity Committee to push for more diversity in a research setting.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

2024 – Present Volunteer Video Editor

Love the Oceans - Remote

• Produce weekly curated video content for Love The Oceans' Instagram and TikTok channels, aiming to foster connections with a broader audience and effectively communicate Love the Oceans' mission and goals.

2025 Inclusive Coasts and Seas: Connecting Diverse Voices Attendee

MISS x SIARC - Remote

• Selected to attend multi-day virtual workshops hosted by Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) and Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities (SIARC) that focus on inclusive marine conservation, skills tutorials, networking.

• Covered topics including: community science, local ecological knowledge approaches, management and policy initiatives, biological research, qualitative and quantitative methods and analyses, fundraising and grant writing, community organizing, and inclusive marine conservation.

2023 Fieldwork and Outreach Volunteer 

Whale Shark Mexico - La Paz, BCS, MX

• Utilized whale shark population survey methods, including ID photos, gender determination, size measurement, body injury analysis, and monitoring. Participated in outreach and community activities in nearby areas, including social media engagement and beach clean-ups.

2022 – 2023 Minorities in Shark Science: Diversifying Ocean Science Cohort

The Field School Foundation - Miami, FL

• Participating in a hybrid program to improve ocean science skills and receive mentorship. At the end of the program, will be attending a week-long program at the University of Miami to gain hands-on experience in field ecology.

2022 Undergraduate Course in Fisheries Population and Ecosystem Dynamics

Rutgers University: Institute of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences - New Brunswick, NJ

• Selected to attend a NOAA and Sea Grant funded course (Rutgers 2022) in fisheries populations and ecosystems dynamics. Learned about a range of quantitative approaches in fisheries using R and Microsoft Excel.

2022 – 2023 Davis Scuba Club President

UC-Davis Center for Student Involvement - Davis, CA

• Organizing club meetings and dive trips for over thirty participants, informing others on how to become open water certified, and planning group dives. Applied to grants to reduce financial barriers and make scuba diving more accessible.

2021 – 2022 Mentee for the Research Coordinated Network: Lotterhos Lab

The Research Coordination Network for Evolution in Changing Seas - Remote

• Remotely led and participated in professional development seminars. Gave feedback on manuscripts and lab results related to marine evolutionary biology and conservation genetics research.

AWARDS

2023 Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society Scholarship ($30,000)

2023 Aquarium of the Pacific: African American Scholarship ($10,000)

2022 Bodega Marine Lab Ambassador Scholarship ($3,000)

2021 Sierra Club Solano Group, Environmental Scholarship ($650)

CERTIFICATIONS

2024 SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor

2023 AAUS Scientific Diver

2023 PADI Divemaster

2023 SDI Divemaster

2023 FRTI CPR & First Aid Instructor

2023 PADI Drysuit Diver

2023 PADI Rescue Diver

2023 DAN Diving First Aid