SAFS Alumni Named Hershman Fellows
Sarah Tanja (M.S. 2026) ) and Celeste Valdivia (M.S. 2026; pictured above) were named 2026 Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellows. The Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship offers a unique educational opportunity to individuals engaged in studies pertaining to ocean and coastal policy issues.
Both Tanja and Valdivia will spend their fellowships at the University of Washington – Tacoma’s Puget Sound Institute. Tanja says, “I will be working to support the Puget Sound Kelp and Eelgrass Risk Assessment tool, a project led by PSI in collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that displays risks to kelp and eelgrass in an interactive map.”
Valdivia is also working on work that extends her recent M.S. work. “I will be applying my background in aquatic ecotoxicology to support ongoing research with Dr. Andy James,” she says. “My fellowship work will focus on either refining machine-learning tools for identifying chemicals of emerging concern in Puget Sound or designing and carrying out a research project that addresses regional recovery needs outlined in the Puget Sound’s Grand Uncertainty Matrix (GUM).”
For Tanja, this fellowship presents an opportunity for her to continue doing work that is impactful. “My long-term career goal is to work in applied research that serves the needs of my community, preferably focused on coastal habitats. I want to integrate tools like bioinformatics, physiology, and modeling to better understand how coastal ecosystems are changing and help communities make informed choices for a climate-resilient future” she says.
Valdivia is excited about the opportunity to extend her research interests on a topic that is important and involved community partnerships. “At the 2025 conference for the PNW Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, I became particularly inspired by King County aquatic ecotoxicologists who shared their work partnering with the Refugee Federation Service Center to identify chemical contaminants in fish commonly caught and consumed by local immigrant communities. In my own career, I hope to carry out similar work that partners with local communities to identify meaningful aquatic ecotoxicology research questions and conduct science that directly prioritizes their needs.”
Congratulations, Sarah and Celeste!