Hear from Notable Alumni

Kimberly Nielsen is a Research Associate at Oceans Initiative, a marine science and conservation non-profit organization in the Pacific Northwest. Her research experience is rooted in spatial ecology and density estimation, mostly of marine vertebrates like whales and dolphins. As part of a small science team at a marine science and conservation non-profit, Kimberly gets to research a variety of topics including the foraging behavior of killer whales in the Salish Sea and the distribution of marine mammals in Antarctica. Kimberly graduated from USD in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science (Biology pathway) and completed her Master’s of Research in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth in 2018.

Kimberly appreciated the smaller class sizes in the Environmental and Ocean Sciences Department, which facilitated a closer connection with her professors and a better understanding of how their expertise aligned with her research interests and career aspirations. As an undergraduate, Kimberly focused on her core oceanography and biology courses, as she believed those courses would be the most relevant to her career interests. However, as a professional in the field she appreciates the value of her broader educational background. The courses she completed in environmental studies and humanities were instrumental in preparing her for her current role. “Science is important, but it's just as critical that we know how to communicate it effectively to a more general, global audience through writing and public speaking,” Kimberly states. She encourages current undergraduate students to be resilient in their career goals, as everyone’s path into marine science looks different. “My own path had several detours and interruptions. It is never too late to go after your goals, and if you persist–even if it takes longer than planned–you can find a way to do the work you’ve always dreamed of.”

Taylor Miller graduated from the University of San Diego with her Bachelor's of Science in environmental and ocean sciences in 2015. She also earned her Master's of Science in environmental and sustainability science from the College of Charleston in 2020. Miller currently works as a powerfolio client specialist with Calpine Solutions, a 3rd party energy provider that operates in every deregulated US market. Her group works alongside the sales division with clients who have identified a need for a strategic approach to purchasing electricity. A client’s electricity portfolio is treated as a hedge fund and the Powerfolio group is tasked with identifying risks (both good and bad) and using data to develop and justify strategies.

Miller finds that many of the skills she developed during her time in the department, including her ability to summarize data and receive critique on her work, have served her in a role where she is asked to develop new energy strategies for clients. She also reflects on how the department treated her as an individual, with metrics that reflected individual success beyond the course grades being at the forefront of her experience.

Miller encourages current students to “be open to all opportunities and find the value in experience.” An interdisciplinary education (such as pursuing a chemistry or math minor) can open doors to career opportunities beyond the typical marine or environmental professions.

Michael Fox graduated from the University of San Diego in 2008 with a BA in marine science and went on to receive an MS in marine science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and a PhD in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He is currently an assistant research professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and leads the Ecological Oceanography lab in research that combines fieldwork and laboratory experiments to understand how coral reefs will survive under increasing pressures from climate change and human impacts. The team studies coral reefs in the remote central Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Fox credits his education at USD with providing him with comprehensive training in various aspects of marine science, including biological, physical and geological aspects, which have been beneficial in his career. He also found value in the hands-on training in the lab and field that his education provided. His advice for students pursuing a career in marine science is to gain as much hands-on research experience as possible. He suggests volunteering in labs or assisting graduate students with their work, and reaching out to professors for opportunities and connections to broaden their training and guide their interests. These experiences can also assist in finding jobs or positions in graduate schools. Michael also notes the importance of developing skills beyond the core science curriculum, including skills with graphic design programs, like Adobe Illustrator or InkScape for creating figures. Developing skills in personnel management, budgeting and marketing will also aid professionals in preparing for a career in research as managing a lab is similar to running a small business.

Callie Sharp graduated from USD in 2019, majoring in environmental and ocean sciences (Environmental Studies pathway) and with a minor in law and ethics. Today, she resides in New York City where she works as an environmental and consumer protection attorney, fighting large corporations that prioritize profits over the well-being of their customers and the environment. Reflecting on her time here at USD, Sharp fondly recalled the immersive opportunities provided by the EOSC department, including marine lab work and field trips to the mountains and deserts. The EOSC department’s curriculum allowed her to gain practical scientific knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues. One remarkable takeaway from Sharp's education was the opportunity to develop strong communication skills, specifically the ability to communicate complex scientific issues in a manner that is easily comprehensible. As an environmental attorney, she recognizes the critical importance of understanding highly technical scientific studies and concepts, as well as the ability to effectively convey those concepts to judges and juries who may not have a science background. In fact, Sharp's robust science background serves as a valuable asset to her employer and was one of the primary reasons she was hired for her current position. When asked to provide advice for current undergraduates, Sharp encourages students to embrace every learning opportunity that comes their way and stressed the importance of stepping outside of one's comfort zone by taking classes that may seem unfamiliar, as they often become the catalyst for new passions, lifelong connections and even future career opportunities.

In 2020, A-bel Gong graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in environmental and ocean sciences (Marine Ecology pathway) and a double minor in biology and women and gender studies. Following their undergraduate degree, A-bel continued their education at USD and received their Master of Science in Environmental and Ocean Sciences in 2022. Their undergraduate and graduate research focused on shark and ray movement ecology in Southern California using both novel and traditional tracking movement data.They are currently working as the Climate Research Manager for the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, which was established as a network for public agencies to advance climate change solutions that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effect of climate change. During their time at USD, A-bel enjoyed bonding with others over a shared love of science and spending time outdoors while conducting fieldwork. They appreciated the mentorship that department professors provided and would advise any undergraduate students to maintain relationships with their professors in order to create a network of community connections that can assist in professional development. The rigorous coursework of the department, along with opportunities to be involved in research, prepared A-bel for success in their current role and for pursuing a PhD in the future.

Kayla Eichenberger currently works at the Monterey Bay Aquarium as an aquarist, where she provides husbandry for a variety of species and dives in the exhibits as part of her role. Her position also affords her opportunities to contribute to research being done at the aquarium. Eichenberger graduated from USD in 2019 with a major in environmental and ocean sciences (Marine Ecology pathway) and a minor in biology. She credits her degree from USD with preparing her to succeed in her current industry and is thankful for the exposure to different career pathways that the department provided. Eichenberger enjoyed the supportive community that the Department of Environmental and Ocean Sciences provided, along with the chance to take interesting classes. Her advice for current students would be to take advantage of all the experiences available to undergraduates including joining a club, registering for interesting classes that involve fieldwork and volunteering with organizations. In the future, Eichenberger is interested in conducting research and contributing to advancing the knowledge of the marine science community.