Emily Bews

Emily, a first-year Master of Marine Affairs student at the University of Washington, is tackling this urgent challenge through her graduate research. While much attention has focused on canopy-forming bull kelp, Emily’s work shines a light on the lesser-known understory kelps that also support marine biodiversity and coastal resilience. She is developing tools to predict how two important species—Saccharina latissima and Alaria marginata—may respond to changing ocean conditions, helping managers identify places where kelp conservation and restoration will be most effective.