Science is at the foundation of everything we do at SeaDoc—from Salish Sea Wild and Pod of Orcas to our efforts to inform policy. For decades our Scientific Advisory Committee has played a vital role on that front.

The Committee is made up of respected individual scientists doing important work throughout the Salish Sea. This month we say a heartfelt goodbye to one longtime advisor, Meg Chadsey, and we welcome two new exciting additions, Jennifer Russell and Lisa Watkins.

Meg Chadsey of Washington Sea Grant has served on the Committee for a decade! Not only did she bring her scientific bonafides, but also a contagiously great attitude and deep curiosity. We asked Meg for some parting words as she moves on:

“It’s been a privilege to help SeaDoc build its research portfolio over the years, and see their scientific investments pay off over and over again in terms of actionable information for Salish Sea stewards and managers. Everything from better methods for monitoring orca health and maintaining genetic diversity of threatened species to helping people harvest and consume seaweeds safely. And I’ve learned so much from the staff and other Science Advisors, whose expertise ranges from rockfish recruitment to sea squirts to Indigenous aquaculture (and baseball! They finally made a fan of me, just in time for the Mariners’ heroic 2025 season). My time on the Advisory Committee has been a great balance of science and fun!”

With Meg rotating off, we welcome two great new additions:

Jennifer Russell has worked as an Aquatic Animal Veterinarian at SeaWorld in San Diego for almost a decade, caring for marine invertebrates, fish and elasmobranchs, sea turtles, shorebirds, pinnipeds and cetaceans. A significant portion of her caseload includes rescue and rehabilitation of stranded aquatic wildlife. She graduated with honors from the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, where she earned her degree in veterinary medicine and became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. When not involved in clinical medicine and scientific writing, Dr. Russell is spending time with her husband and two little girls - who have become experts at finding nudibranchs in the tidepools!

Lisa Watkins is the Community Science Specialist and Marine Debris Lead at Washington Sea Grant. She holds a PhD from Cornell University focused on plastic pollution and participatory science methods. Lisa serves on Seattle Public Utilities' Solid Waste Advisory Committee, has served on the steering committee for Washington's new Marine Debris Action Plan, and is currently in search of the best chocolate croissant in the city. Prior to joining WSG, Lisa received her PhD from Cornell University, where she led research focused on quantification and transport of plastic pollution and on community-sourced data.