Elisa Webbe
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Short-term Fellow: August - October 2025
Mentored by: Dr. Sennai Habtes, Chief of Fisheries for the US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife
My short-term fellowship with Dr. Sennai Habtes at the Department of Fish and Wildlife was a great experience and helped me get the hands-on training I had been looking for after graduating with my bachelor’s in Marine Biology from UVI. Most of my time was spent supporting the SEAMAP finfish survey, where I reviewed underwater videos from more than 70 sites and described habitats, identified species, and recorded counts. It was a lot of footage to work through—especially when a software issue meant I had to review each camera angle manually—but it pushed me to improve my fish ID skills and pay close attention to detail.
I used data from the survey to create my research poster for the CERF conference, where I looked at grouper distribution across two depth zones. It was exciting to take something I worked on in the office and turn it into a full project to present.
I also got the chance to help with other tasks, like port sampling, lobster surveys, and even collecting samples from a tree boa call. The lobster survey ended up being my favorite—partly because it happened on my birthday, and partly because it was the first time I really felt like I was out in the field doing the work I want to build a career around.
The staff were patient, encouraging, and always willing to answer questions. Even though Dr. Habtes was busy, he made time to meet with me, and Danielle and Tia supported me day-to-day. Being around people who work in fisheries and wildlife every day helped me feel more confident about communicating and presenting scientific work.
I originally learned about Navigating Home through the SEAS Islands Alliance, and I’m glad I applied. It gave me the chance to gain meaningful experience and build connections I didn’t have before. I’ve already recommended the program to other students because it’s a great stepping-stone for anyone trying to figure out their next move after graduation.
