Science Rooted in Place: PWSC’s 4th Annual Environmental Sciences Symposium

Last night, PWSC held its Fourth Annual Environmental Sciences Symposium—offering a powerful introduction to the work our students have been building over the past two semesters.

Over that time, students have been out in the field, in the lab, and deep in the data—asking questions rooted in this place and relevant far beyond it.

These students are part of our Natural Resources Technician and Marine Natural Resources Technician programs. Some are focused on one area, others on the other—but together, their work reflects the breadth of applied science happening at PWSC.

This year’s projects explored environmental characterization, kelp and lettuce germination, kelp processing for concrete, phytoplankton community analysis, mariculture water-quality monitoring, genetic and morphological studies of invasive slugs, and scientific illustration.

The evening featured lightning talks, a poster session, and presentations from:

Maryam Farahani – Kelp extraction preparation and the biostimulant potential of sugar kelp on lettuce
Ramona Smith – Sediment and ecological characterization of glacial outputs in Southcentral Alaska
Sonya Agnew – Observing phytoplankton levels and species in the Port of Valdez, Prince William Sound
Isabella Tulauskas – Spatial and monitoring of surface and subsurface water quality across the Port of Valdez
Dakota Bell – Efficiency in drying three-ribbed kelp for use as a viscosity-modifying agent in concrete
Evelyn Tekrony – Proposal on benthic sediment microbial communities across river mouths with varying human impact using 16S eDNA
Cameron Passmore – Establishing protocol for genetic identification of Arion subfuscus
Elizabeth Imperiale – Identifying the cryptic and invasive slug species Arion subfuscus
Ellie Land – Expressing scientific stories through art

These projects were supported and guided by Dr. Amanda Glazier and Martina Gerasch, whose mentorship continues to shape meaningful, place-based science.

This work would not be possible without the support of the Alaska Blue Economy Center, Alaska EPSCoR, the Mariculture Cluster, Jessie McKay from UAF, and Sugpiaq Culture Bearer Diane Selanoff.

These projects matter. They contribute to understanding our local ecosystems, support sustainable mariculture, address invasive species, and explore innovative uses of natural resources. More than that, they prepare students with the skills, experience, and perspective needed to do this work in real-world settings—here in Alaska and beyond.

This symposium is more than a presentation of projects—it reflects sustained effort, applied learning, and the role of student-driven science in understanding and supporting our communities.