Seymour Marine Discovery Center is in the business of creating scientists and we have 25 years of data to prove it.
Young people who come through the Seymour Center doors go on to become every flavor of a scientist. The surge of curiosity and commitment to conservation that emerges at the Seymour Center transforms into careers in laboratories, the field, classrooms, writers’ rooms, council chambers, and art studios.
Some of you have supported the mission for decades–thank you. We hope you feel proud knowing that 25 years later, the young people you supported have accomplished incredible things in the sciences and beyond. If you give for the first time this year, you too can have a meaningful impact on people like Alissa, Roxanne, and Pat. From professors to underwater photographers, here are three Seymour Center alum stories.
Alissa Ganley
RAISE postdoctoral fellow at Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William and Mary & Ocean Explorers Alum
Alissa started at Seymour’s Ocean Explorers Summer Program when she was 9 years old, and went on to become a Seymour docent during her undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz. “I credit the Seymour Center as my first real introduction to experimental science as a field. I was already interested in the oceans and science, but it was at Seymour Center’s Ocean Explorers that I got to experience firsthand the development of scientific questions, learning to develop experiments to test those hypotheses, and gathering data to support them. Being able to participate in real science that was occurring at the UC Santa Cruz Long Marine lab not only furthered this interest but allowed me to see this field as a viable career for my future.” – Alissa Ganley, PhD. To learn more about what Alissa is up to check out her website.
Roxanne Beltran
UCSC Professor & Seymour Alum
Roxanne says that her undergraduate job at the Seymour Center helped her apply textbook knowledge outside of the classroom and inspired her to ask new questions. In addition to funding her undergraduate education through work-study wages, she was able to sharpen her science communication skills with support from former Visitor Programs Manager Chris Reeves. Now, Roxanne runs a field research program with the goal of improving the retention of underrepresented UCSC undergraduate students in STEM education.
Pat Webster
Underwater Photographer & Seymour Alum
Have you ever heard of the term pescatarian redwoods? That’s what Pat Webster, an Underwater Photographer calls kelp forests. Pat’s breathtaking photography shares and connects us with what is under the ocean’s surface. Pat generously allowed us to feature his photographs in our aquarium’s refreshed signage and labels, which we unveiled this year.
Pat was a student employee at the Seymour Center during his undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz and says the Seymour Center set him on his path to becoming a science communicator. Check out Pat’s video and learn more about him and his Seymour Center story.
With your support, the Seymour Center will be ready to welcome and inspire the next Roxanne, Pat, and Alissa. Please consider making a gift to Seymour Center and help us raise $90,000 by December 31. Your investment will help launch the next generation of scientists and conservation leaders.
