Alanica Canonier
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Short-term Fellow: May - July 2026
Mentored by: Dr. Marilyn Brandt, University of the Virgin Islands
Before this fellowship, I was at Northeastern University finishing my last two courses and thinking hard about what came next. When I found out about Navigating Home, I knew right away I wanted to apply. It was a chance to pursue research again in a discipline I love, marine science, and to return to something that matters to me: understanding what our oceans and environments mean to us and all they provide.
I worked with Dr. Marilyn Brandt on a new project calculating carbon budgets, which help researchers determine whether a reef is building or losing its calcium carbonate structure over time. That data will help Dr. Brandt, her team, and other researchers understand whether restoration efforts are working and where they could improve. My part was the data analysis. I reviewed coral reef monitoring data from the Territorial Coral Reef Monitoring Program, adapted spreadsheets using the ReefBudget methodology, and analyzed sea urchin, fish, and benthic cover data to compare patterns year over year.
Working with Dr. Brandt was an amazing experience. She's down-to-earth, kind, communicative, and funny, and she always made time to connect with me. She trusted me to work independently while staying available whenever I needed guidance, which helped me grow more confident making decisions on my own. She introduced me to everyone in her lab, made me feel welcome, and gave me honest, practical advice about my career and education that I still think about.
The fellowship gave me a clearer academic path. I'm now considering UVI's Master of Marine and Environmental Science program for my long-term plans, and I feel more confident pursuing a career in data science. Seeing how data analysis supports coral restoration showed me just how much data can shape environmental decision-making.
It also showed me how much home means to me. I'd be proud to stay in the U.S. Virgin Islands and build my career here. This fellowship helped me see that there are real opportunities for analytical work on-island, and it left me feeling more connected to local scientists, my peers, and the reefs and communities I care about.
The lesson that stands out most is that collaboration is a constant source of fresh ideas, and that asking for help isn't a weakness. Asking Dr. Brandt what would help me get the most out of my fellowship taught me that career growth depends on consistent behaviors, like communicating, asking questions, and staying engaged.
Right now, I'm continuing to support Dr. Brandt's project while she explores funding to keep it going, alongside two summer courses at Northeastern. I'm also reaching out to family and friends about my STEMAP engagement activity, which will introduce children and adults to coral reefs and marine science.
Opportunities like Navigating Home matter because they help students and early-career professionals from the Virgin Islands feel seen and included. They open doors to new people and paths, reconnect fellows with their roots, and show Virgin Islanders that they can build meaningful careers while giving back to their communities.