From PWSC to Juneau, Alaska: Hannah Bogdan's Big Catch
by V. Heisser |
From PWSC to Juneau: Hannah Bogdan's Big Catch
Location: Juneau, Alaska | Fellowship: Alaska Sea Grant Community-Engaged Fellow
Hannah Bogdan is diving deep into the world of sustainable fisheries as an Alaska Sea Grant Community-Engaged Fellow in Juneau, Alaska. Her current work focuses on surveying bait use among commercial and sport fishermen, as well as collecting data from bait suppliers. The goal? To better understand the species used, the source of bait, and the amount in circulation. This research supports a larger initiative: testing the feasibility of organic, locally made artificial bait as a way to reduce fish waste and cut down on the environmental impact of importing bait from outside the state.
In addition to her survey work, Hannah has spent the summer field-testing a variety of bait types, comparing their effectiveness and gaining valuable hands-on experience. “There’s so much more to bait than you’d expect,” she said. The biggest challenge so far? Designing clear, multiple-choice survey questions that gather consistent, meaningful data across a broad range of fishing operations is a deceptively complex task.
Throughout her time in Juneau, Hannah has not only sharpened her research skills but also built strong connections with local stakeholders and community members. The experience has strengthened her passion for science, sustainability, and public outreach.
Hannah is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies at the University of Alaska Southeast, with a concentration in outdoor studies, a minor in business administration, and a certificate in small business management.
This fellowship builds on the strong foundation she developed while earning her degree from Prince William Sound College, where she was first introduced to scientific research. “Before coming here, I had never done scientific research,” she reflected. “Since starting my degree, I’ve had the opportunity to explore so many career paths—and this fellowship has helped me dive even deeper.”
Location: Juneau, Alaska | Fellowship: Alaska Sea Grant Community-Engaged Fellow
Hannah Bogdan is diving deep into the world of sustainable fisheries as an Alaska Sea Grant Community-Engaged Fellow in Juneau, Alaska. Her current work focuses on surveying bait use among commercial and sport fishermen, as well as collecting data from bait suppliers. The goal? To better understand the species used, the source of bait, and the amount in circulation. This research supports a larger initiative: testing the feasibility of organic, locally made artificial bait as a way to reduce fish waste and cut down on the environmental impact of importing bait from outside the state.
In addition to her survey work, Hannah has spent the summer field-testing a variety of bait types, comparing their effectiveness and gaining valuable hands-on experience. “There’s so much more to bait than you’d expect,” she said. The biggest challenge so far? Designing clear, multiple-choice survey questions that gather consistent, meaningful data across a broad range of fishing operations is a deceptively complex task.
Throughout her time in Juneau, Hannah has not only sharpened her research skills but also built strong connections with local stakeholders and community members. The experience has strengthened her passion for science, sustainability, and public outreach.
Hannah is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies at the University of Alaska Southeast, with a concentration in outdoor studies, a minor in business administration, and a certificate in small business management.
This fellowship builds on the strong foundation she developed while earning her degree from Prince William Sound College, where she was first introduced to scientific research. “Before coming here, I had never done scientific research,” she reflected. “Since starting my degree, I’ve had the opportunity to explore so many career paths—and this fellowship has helped me dive even deeper.”