U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Short-term Fellow: August - October 2025
Mentored by: Sabrina Severin, Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative

Navigating Home has provided invaluable experience in applied marine research and problem-solving. This fellowship has helped shape my career trajectory, inspiring me to focus on conservation strategies that support healthy and resilient marine ecosystems

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.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Long-term Fellow: October 2024 - 2025
Mentored by Dr. Marilyn Brandt, University of the Virgin Islands

As a Navigating Home Fellow working with Dr. Marilyn Brandt, I’ve been immersed in every part of coral reef conservation – from hands-on fieldwork to data analysis. On any given week, you might find me treating corals affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, maintaining coral nurseries, or diving to monitor bleaching and spawning events. Other days, I’m at my computer creating maps with ArcGIS, cleaning GPS dive tracks, or entering data on disease spread, benthic and coral monitoring.  It’s a mix of field and lab work that keeps me learning every day.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Short-term Fellow: July - September 2025
Mentored by Dr. Lauren Olinger & Doug Wilson, University of the Virgin Islands

When I joined the Navigating Home Fellowship, I wasn’t sure how my background in math and physics would connect with marine science. But over the past few months, I’ve discovered just how much my skills can contribute to solving environmental challenges here in the Virgin Islands. 

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Short-term Fellow: June - August 2025
Mentored by Sabrina Severin, Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative

In my Navigating Home fellowship, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a conservation technician with Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI). This experience gave me my first real hands-on role in coral restoration, where I was responsible for daily coral husbandry tasks such as feeding and siphoning, and contributing directly to the care of coral nurseries.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Long-term Fellow: October 2024 - 2025
Mentored by Anne Marie Hoffman, VI EcoSchools

Zoe Banfield, a St. Thomas native, brings energy, thoughtfulness, and a strong sense of community to her role as a Navigating Home Fellow. She currently serves as the St. Thomas/St. John program coordinator for the Virgin Islands Conservation Society’s (VICS) Eco-Schools USVI program.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Long-term Fellow: October 2024 - 2025
Mentored by Dr. Marilyn Brandt, University of the Virgin Islands

Nicholas Durgadeen’s career in STEM is flourishing. His path began in 2018 with the Supporting Emerging Aquatic Scientists (SEAS) Your Tomorrow Program, hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI).

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Short-term Fellow: April - June 2024
Mentored by Dr. Richard Nemeth, University of the Virgin Islands

As a first-generation college student, Miranda’s academic and professional journey has been significantly shaped by support from programs such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) SEAS Island Alliance and the Navigating Home Fellowships.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Long-term Fellow: August 2023 - 2025
Mentored by Dr. Marilyn Brandt, University of the Virgin Islands

Chloé Camacho is a current Master of Marine and Environmental Studies (MMES) candidate at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI).