This blog post series highlights alumni of the Sea Dragons, a student-run underwater robotics team who worked with the Jefferson MRC from 2022-2024. The alumni share their reflections, advice, and the impact of hands-on marine conservation.
Ella Ashford
Years with Sea Dragons: 2016–2025
Role on the Sea Dragons Team: Primary Investigator and ROV Pilot
Where Is She Now? Conducting rainforest and marine conservation fieldwork on Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge through the US Fish and Wildlife Service
“The crab pot recovery project was instrumental to my development as a scientist. It was my first experience leading research, collaborating with multiple stakeholders, and learning to communicate our findings with both local and international audiences. Most importantly, our work unlocked my interest in community-driven solutions to coastal management challenges, setting the course for my future career and education. Since my time with the Sea Dragons team, I have worked on environmental science research around the world from Greece to American Samoa. Now, I am thrilled to be applying the conservation and fieldwork skills I first gained through the crab pot project to the work I am doing at a remote field station on Palmyra Atoll!”
Future Plans:
Eventually I plan to attend graduate school to continue studying ocean science or coastal management. Until then, I am working on getting applied conservation experience with federal agencies while simultaneously enjoying my travels across the tropical Pacific.
Advice to Younger Self:
Always remember to dream big, take risks, and don’t let anyone tell you what is or is not possible. Most importantly, make sure to unconditionally believe in your ability to do hard things. It also helps to build supportive teams and networks of other young researchers so you can uplift each other throughout your careers.
More about this series: It is a privilege to hear from a group of students after their interaction with an MRC to see how their experiences shaped their futures. This post is part of the “Where Are They Now?” series, featuring alumni of the Sea Dragons underwater robotics team and their previous work with the Jefferson MRC. Each student answers the same questions about their experience, sharing how it shaped their skills, teamwork, and interest in marine conservation.
From 2022-2024, this particular group of student-led Sea Dragon students have designed and operated remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to locate and recover lost crab pots in the Salish Sea, protecting marine life while gaining hands-on experience. Alumni reflect on where they are now, offer advice to future students, and share photos from their Sea Dragon journey.
Many thanks to Ella Ashford for keeping in touch and for helping to gather and share this information!
Resources:
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Project StoryMap (recipient of the ArcGIS International Storyteller of the Year Award 2023)
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Students tackle ‘ghost-pot’ problem. The Leader | July 2022