The Blundy Family Marine Science Fellowship
The California Ocean Alliance is committed to promoting opportunity and diversity in the field of marine mammal conservation and education. To increase student participation across a broad range of backgrounds, we are excited to announce The Blundy Family Marine Science Fellowship, a highly competitive academic opportunity that pairs recent college graduates with researchers and educational experts at UC Santa Cruz, Moss Landing Marine Laboratory, and Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station. This paid research opportunity is designed for under-represented minority undergraduates from across the country. This 12-week paid fellowship emphasizes training, mentoring, research, and preparing students for graduate studies & careers marine mammal science. No prior laboratory or research experience is required. Students will be paired with a science/educator mentor and will have the opportunity to participate in one of the following areas (depending on interest and availability):
- Field work
- Laboratory work
- Data analysis
- Science curriculum development
- Social media/outreach
The stipend provided will cover the cost of living in the Monterey Bay Area for the duration of the 3-month program. The approximate terms for this fellowship are:
- Each year, 1-2 applicants will be selected to work during the spring, summer, fall or winter. Fellowships are awarded based on availability, mentor or project needs, and student interest. Available positions will be posted on the website, social media, and newsletter.
Current and Former Blundy Fellows
Zora Beaty
Zora is a recent graduate from Pomona College and a current Blundy intern fellow at the Friedlaender Lab. She is part of the Acoustic Monitoring of Arctic Marine Mammals study under Caroline Casey and Chloe Lew. and will be helping to process acoustic sound data from Kotzebue Sound, Alaska to identify marine mammals present. Zora says, “working in Ari’s lab is exciting because I can gain skills in biotelemetry technology to learn about how different environmental conditions influence marine mammal health and behavior”.
Andy Klein
Andy is a recent graduate from UCSC and a current Blundy intern fellow at the Friedlaender Lab. She is part of the Acoustic Monitoring of Arctic Marine Mammals study under Caroline Casey and Chloe Lew and will be helping to process acoustic sound data from Kotzebue Sound, Alaska to identify marine mammals present. Andy is, “most excited about learning the data processing methods in passive acoustic monitoring, making new connections with people with similar interests, and listening to cool marine mammals make sounds!”
Chelsea Schaf
Chelsea is currently obtaining her Master’s studying deep-sea nudibranchs UC San Diego and was the Fall 2025 Blundy Fellow. Her fellowship was with Colleen Reichmuth where she worked on vocal analysis and a molt summary presentation. She is now finishing her thesis and after that, who knows! She loves the idea of working in marine biology and traveling but is also interested in evolutionary biology or behavioral ecology. Chelsea says, “I got so much incredibly valuable experience in husbandry, animal training, lab safety, and people skills.”
Sabana Maria Gonzalez
Sabana is currently at graduate school in the Developmental Psychology program at UC Berkeley and was the Fall 2023 Blundy Fellow. Her fellowship was with Caroline Casey and Colleen Reichmuth in the Pinniped Lab where she learned about the diverse range of methods used to collect behavioral and physiological data. She now works with the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary exploring casual understanding between children and chimpanzees. Sabana says, “this experience gave me the confidence to pursue graduate studies and greatly prepared me to work with chimpanzees.”
Maddi Stewart
Maddi recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BS in Marine Biology and was the Spring 2023 Blundy Fellow. Her fellowship focused on the Bio-Telemetry and Behavioral Ecology Laboratory with COA’s Dr. Ari Friedlaender where she learned about different aspects of humpback whale research including how to process and analyze tissue to collect hormonal and genetic data. She also worked closely with Dr. Logan Pallin to help process tissue samples that will be used to analyze genetic and hormonal data about Humpback whales. Maddi says, “Being in Ari’s lab has helped me further my lab techniques, become more confident in my skills, and understand the value of cultivating strong relationships within the science community.”
Jennifer Valenzuela
Jen is a Marine Field Tech interested in drone research, geospatial analysis, and science illustration and was our Fall 2023 Blundy Fellow. After taking COA’s Marine Mammal Online Experience, Jen wanted to expand her knowledge about aerial surveys and geospatial analysis. For her fellowship, Jen worked in Dr. David Cade’s lab at Standford’s Hopkins Marine Station helping analyze mapping data about Minke whales in Antarctica, she also produced illustrations for some papers in the lab. About the fellowship experience, Jen says, “Having taken a non-linear path towards my career goals, getting this kind of experience is invaluable.”
The Winter fellowship application period is now closed! Please stay tuned and follow us on Instagram for updates on the next opening.