Kate Litle, WSG interim director, nominated for Washington Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award
WSG is thrilled to share that Kate Litle, WSG interim director and deputy director, was nominated for the prestigious 2025 Washington Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award.
The award recognizes state managers who “not only met high standards of leadership, but who also advanced innovation, equity and continuous improvement in the work they do every day,” Washington Governor Bob Ferguson wrote in the call for nominations.
Washington Sea Grant welcomes Community-Engaged Intern Ava Vaughan
WSG is excited to welcome Ava Vaughan as the Community-Engaged Intern! In her role, Ava will work with community engagement specialist Sanpisa Sritrairat, coastal hazards specialist Ian Miller, and partners at Washington Emergency Management Division to support coastal hazard mitigation planning and social vulnerability assessments.
Read moreRobyn Ricks, WSG creative director, retires
For twenty-seven years, Robyn Ricks has shaped how the outside world sees Washington Sea Grant. As the program’s creative director, Robyn has brought her visual branding and graphic design skills to produce materials from websites to the Sea Star print magazine to formal presentations.
Read moreNew staff: WSG welcomes Jubilee Cho and Kaitlyn Kowaleski
Washington Sea Grant (WSG) is excited to welcome two new staff this summer: Jubilee Cho is the new graphic designer, and Kaitlyn Kowaleski is a new postdoctoral scholar.
Jubilee Cho
In Jubilee’s role, she works across several creative mediums in print, web, digital and experiential to promote WSG communications, outreach and campaigns.
Wesley Hull wins UW Graduate School Medal for work with Washington shellfish farmers
By Alison Lorenz, WSG Communications Project Coordinator
Dr. Wesley Hull has been awarded the University of Washington (UW) Graduate School Medal for his dissertation research, supported in part by Washington Sea Grant (WSG).
WSG welcomes Mel Lemke, Graduate Science Communications Fellow
Mel Lemke is a self-proclaimed creepy-crawly-enthusiast who loves the deep sea. Hailing from the mountains of Colorado, Mel has always had an awe and appreciation for the complexity of marine systems, leading her to complete her B.S.
Read moreDr. Nicole Naar receives 2025 College of the Environment Outstanding Community Impact Award
By Luciana Calle, WSG Science Communications Fellow
We are happy to announce that Dr. Nicole Naar, WSG social science and education specialist, was selected to receive the UW College of the Environment’s 2025 Outstanding Community Impact Award.
WSG Director update: Our federal funding status
Dear Partners and Friends of Washington Sea Grant:
One month ago, I shared an update highlighting the benefits that Washington Sea Grant (WSG) continues to bring to Washington state. Since writing that update, WSG underwent a 6-year programmatic review and passed with flying colors: the review committee was quick to see the substantial economic value and excellent service to Washington provided by our program and the outstanding expertise and dedication of our staff and awarded us high marks in all categories.
Researchers to map the genome of the invasive European green crab
With state funding, Washington Sea Grant will work with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to shed light on a highly invasive species
SEATTLE – Washington state will soon have another tool to support long-term management for one of the highest priority invasive species, European green crab, thanks to additional state funding dedicated to genetic research.
Spring 2025 WSG Director update: Continuing to provide value to Washington state
Dear Partners and Friends of Washington Sea Grant:
For more than 50 years, Washington Sea Grant has served the State of Washington, the Pacific Northwest, and the nation by funding marine research, providing technical assistance, and working with communities, managers, businesses, educators, and the public to advance regional understanding and sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources.