Pronouns: she/her
Best email: sophie.wong@wildlife.ca.gov
Affiliation: Watershed Stewards Program
Current position: Graduate student / Early career professional
County: Monterey
How will you participate as a mentee: Both in-person and virtually
Going to the 2023 Conference? Yes, in-person
How often can you meet? As needed
Specializations: Marine/ocean/coral reef restoration, River/riparian/fish restoration, Marine ecology, coral reefs, symbiosis, steelhead
Bio/Interests: Originally from Purcellville, VA, I attended the University of Virginia and graduated with a BA in biology and a BS in environmental science with highest distinction. In college, I researched the effects of bison and cattle grazing on tallgrass prairie plant communities in South Dakota, with the goal of increasing native biodiversity and abundance in rangeland pastures, while also teaching a summer science education course for local Native high schoolers. I also spent two summers researching coral biology and symbiosis at Mote Marine Laboratory in the Florida Keys and at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Alabama as part of two REUs. This year, I am completing a term of service with the California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program in partnership with AmeriCorps, and I am stationed at the Monterey CDFW office, studying populations of steelhead along the Big Sur coast. Next year, I will be attending the University of Alabama to begin a PhD in marine biology with Dr. Kenneth Hoadley. My interests focus on coral reef ecology and restoration, with an emphasis on coral symbiosis and alternative host-symbiont combinations to increase resilience to environmental stress such as warming and acidification. My current career goals are to become a professor, so STEM education is a large interest of mine.
