Makeda Serju

Ambitious and creative Marine Science graduate with a degree in Marine Science and Small Island Sustainability, currently thriving as an interdisciplinary research assistant dedicated to environmental science, sustainability, and community engagement. Research focuses on local perceptions of marine and environmental issues, integrating community knowledge into sustainable solutions that promote resilience. A strong passion for marine conservation drives a commitment to pursuing a graduate degree in the near future, with the goal of enhancing contributions to impactful, community-driven environmental research. Eager to leverage expertise in fostering collaboration between scientific inquiry and community involvement to achieve meaningful ecological outcomes.

• Credited as a co-author on a research paper titled Metals in the Coastal Systems of Abaco Island, The Bahamas Following Hurricane Dorian, published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Awarded a Certificate in Social Aspects of Marine Protected Areas from the Center for Protected Area Management at Colorado State University
• Presented at the 77th Annual Meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI 77), discussing contrasting local perceptions of sharks in countries where they are protected versus commonly consumed
• Delivered a presentation at the 2nd Annual Conference for Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science on varying local attitudes toward sharks in regions with differing conservation practices.

Research Intern 

Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium & Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization
Abaco Island, The Bahamas – 2021
Project: Contamination Assessment of Seagrass Beds Following Hurricane Dorian
Lead Researcher: Dr. Stephanie Archer

• Conducted field surveys assessing seagrass bed contamination post-Hurricane Dorian
• Gained hands-on experience in marine fieldwork and sampling techniques
• Developed foundational data analysis skills using field-collected environmental data

Research Intern  

Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization
The Bahamas – 2022
Project: Shared Waters
Lead Researcher: Dr. Charlotte Dunn

• Conducted photo-identification of marine mammals for population tracking
• Supported marine mammal fieldwork, including boat-based observations
• Maintained accurate daily logs and assisted with data entry and organization

Research Intern  

Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization
The Bahamas – 2023
Project: Using target environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to generate population - level sequence data for a species frequently detected but rarely sampled in Naval Operating Areas : Gervais' beaked whale , Mesoplodon europae"
Lead Researcher: Dr. Kim Parsons

• Collected and processed eDNA samples targeting elusive marine mammal species
• Assisted in database management and data entry
• Supported ongoing research in remote detection of rare marine fauna

Research Intern 

Perry Institute of Marine Science & National Geographic
The Bahamas – 2022–2023
Project: Subsistence Fishing and Community Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Lead Researcher: Dr. Karlisa Callwood

• Conducted interviews with local fishermen to assess impacts on food security
• Developed coding and qualitative data analysis skills
• Collaborated with an international research cohort
• Enhanced grant writing and social science research collection skills

Volunteer at the Humane Society, Volunteer for the Perry Institute for Marine Science (mangrove collection)