Emma Spies

Emma Spies is a rising senior studying marine sciences at the University of Maine. Her love of the ocean and its animals inspired her to pursue a career in the marine science field. Emma has worked for the Cammen Lab, a lab focused on ecology, evolution, and conservation of marine mammals, gaining important knowledge in molecular genetics and its techniques. She has been a part of the Western Passage Student Research Collaboration, where she participated in sample surveying marine mammals off the coast of Eastport, ME, in regards to potential impacts of tidal energy. Emma also spent a semester abroad in Sitka, Alaska, where she earned 5 different PADI SCUBA certifications, as well as boating training and safety, to become a scientific diver. There she learned to utilize underwater data collection techniques for the purpose of science. While in Alaska, she spent time on projects regarding kelp ecosystems, sand dollar population counts, and even invasive species follow-up research for the Smithsonian Institute. In the Brady Lab, Emma is working as a diver for the Maine eDNA project as well as conducting research for her senior capstone project.