Catherine Preston (MAS)

Check out Cathy's Capstone Project the website she created called InFishWeTrust.com. Here you can find the tools you need to buy and eat seafood that is healthy for both you and the oceans.

Biography Prior to Beginning Program:

I grew up in the heart of Silicon Valley, miles away from any beach. As I girl, I loved to visit the ocean, play in the waves and dig my toes into the sand, but it wasn't until I moved to Santa Cruz for college that I started to appreciate the importance of the ocean and the numerous systems that it supports.

I received my B.S. in marine biology from UCSC, which quickly propelled me into a world of marine research, education and conservation. During college, I dabbled in a variety of projects. I started volunteering as a docent for a marine interpretive center, educating the public about marine research and conservation within the Monterey Bay.

I worked as a laboratory technician for NMFS and CalCOFI, collecting open ocean data on rockfish abundance and dispersal, and oceanic conditions. I later worked for P.I.S.C.O as a diver helping to survey similar dynamics along Northern Monterey Bay. Shortly before finishing school, I traveled to the small island of Moorea, where I studied tropical marine ecosystems, specifically focusing on sea urchin niche diversification.

A major jumping off point leading me to pursue a career in marine policy and conservation was my time spent working for the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. I was fortunate enough to be mentored by a handful of strong, educated women, passionate about our world's oceans and public education. It was my experience there that influenced me to seek higher education in order to help create a positive change in how people see, think and feel about our oceans, education and conservation.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."-Gandhi

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