Kaitlyn Kowaleski
- Postdoctoral Scholar
- She/her
- krkow@uw.edu
- 206.543.1797
Overview
Kaitlyn Kowaleski works at the intersection between marine invertebrates and the communities that depend on them. Her work combines interdisciplinary research, stakeholder facilitation, and education and outreach to support sustainable shellfish fisheries and aquaculture.
In her current role as a postdoctoral scholar with Washington Sea Grant, Kaitlyn helps bring together scientists, resource users, managers, and community members to address complex natural resource challenges through the Willapa-Grays Harbor Estuary Collaborative (WGHEC). Her work includes facilitating collaborative processes, documenting community perspectives through oral history, and helping evaluate management strategies for the coastal estuaries.
Kaitlyn holds a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and a B.A. in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic. Her research has spanned both the ecological and social dimensions of natural resource use, from documenting local ecological knowledge and community perspectives among marine worm harvesters in Maine to examining how density-dependent reproductive processes influence population dynamics and fisheries management in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery.
Education and outreach are central to Kaitlyn’s work. She has extensive experience developing and leading marine science programs for K–12 students, undergraduate students, and public audiences, and she is passionate about making marine science accessible, engaging, and relevant to diverse communities.
As a nerd both in and outside of work, Kaitlyn can generally be found reading fantasy novels, playing board games, or exploring the outdoors through running, hiking, and kayaking.
Expertise
- Shellfish Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Marine Invertebrate Ecology
- Community-Engaged Research and Facilitation
- Marine Science Education and Outreach