Elisa Bryan 8/25/25 Elisa Bryan 8/25/25

Marissa Bornn

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.

Elisa Bryan 6/17/25 Elisa Bryan 6/17/25

Zoë Banfield

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.

Elisa Bryan 5/20/25 Elisa Bryan 5/20/25

Nicholas Durgadeen

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).

Elisa Bryan 5/19/25 Elisa Bryan 5/19/25

Miranda Goad

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.