About Us
Since the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) was enshrined in the constitution of the Western Society of Naturalists (WSN) in 2017, it has played a transformative role in how we engage with and support our community. Created to embody and act upon the society’s commitment to inclusivity, the DEIC has been a force for change, ensuring that the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just aspirational goals but active practices within our society and its activities. The inception of the DEIC was driven by a recognized need to reflect the diverse spectrum of identities and experiences within the scientific community. Its purpose was clear from the start: to make WSN a microcosm of the society we aspire to—diverse, equitable, and inclusive. This vision was grounded in the understanding that true scientific innovation and community strength stem from embracing a multitude of perspectives and backgrounds.
The DEIC has evolved to address the changing needs of our members and to tackle new challenges in promoting inclusivity. It has done so by listening to the community, learning from past experiences, and proactively identifying opportunities to enhance diversity and equity. Addressing the concerns of the community the DEIC has created different events and opportunities for the society to be informed, be supported, and build professional relationships. The DEI Symposium engages attendees in critical DEI conversations through expert-led discussions, while affinity group mixers offer spaces for personal connection among LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Disability, and international communities, and the Mentorship Program bridges emerging scientists with seasoned professionals with overlapping identities/interests for career development.
Some events to look forward to:
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DEI Symposium
The DEI Symposium is our landmark (~90 minute) session where a group of 3-5 diverse experts will share their stories and invite dialogue around the DEI theme for the meeting, with time for Q&A. This is your chance to learn, get inspired, and meet folks who also care and want to learn more about DEI in science, and at WSN. This panel is intrinsic to the society’s efforts to include diverse perspectives, which lead to innovative science.
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Affinity groups
Come join affinity group mixers (LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Disability,1st Generation Student), open to anyone who identifies with being a part of those groups. We have a room reserved for each group where we gather in little circles of 5-8 people for the chance to connect and share our experiences, and laughter. The DEI committee moderates the sessions and provides suggested conversation prompts, to get the party started! Sessions last one hour, but the friends you meet last through the conference, and beyond.
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Mentorship Program
This program is designed to help first-time attendees and students network with professionals and senior scientists. The mentorship mixer (open to pre-registrants) is Friday during lunch. If you signed up, you should have received instructions from the organizers. We are excited about this initiative to make the WSN meetings more inclusive! The mentorship program is sponsored by CSU COAST. Contact deic@wsn-online.org with questions.
Current DEI Committee Members
Amy Olsen (she/her), Chair
Seattle Aquarium
Amy Olsen is a Research Scientist in the Conservation Programs and Partnerships department of the Seattle Aquarium. Since 2014, she has worked on projects collecting microparticles in Elliott Bay, measuring endocrine hormones of marine mammals, observing Washington sea otters diet diversity, diving in the Salish Sea and Hawaiʻi to analyze fish diversity and abundance, and monitoring coral health following marine heatwaves. She is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion and justice work and sits on committees for the Seattle Aquarium, Western Society of Naturalists and The Wildlife Society. In her spare time, she cares for 2 cats, 1 dog, 8 chickens, 1 toddler and 50 house plants.
Steve Lonhart (he/him)
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary/NOAA
Steve has worked as a Research Ecologist for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary since 2002 and is also a Unit Diving Supervisor. Steve is involved with multiple research and monitoring programs that implement the sanctuary’s scientific goals of integrating multiple disciplines, addressing resource management issues, and disseminating information to the public. Steve collaborates and partners with scientists in several habitats, including Elkhorn Slough, the rocky intertidal, and kelp forests in central California. Steve first attended WSN as a graduate student in 1997, and has attended every year since then, watching the Society grow and evolve.
Crystal Barajas (she/her/ella)
University of California Los Angeles
Crystal is a proud first-generation Latina born and raised in Los Angeles. She will be finishing her master’s in biology this fall at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she will then start her PhD. Her research uses environmental DNA and working with local communities to monitor biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Crystal is a founding member of Latinas in Marine and Aquatic Sciences (LIMAS), an organization that aims to build an inclusive and supportive community that expands access to mentorship, research experiences, and professional development for Latinas in marine and aquatic sciences.
Katie Hannibal (she/her)
UC Los Angeles
Katie is a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA, where her research focuses on using a trait-based approach to study macroalgal communities and create inclusive pathways for community science. She has served as the Communications and Engagement Chair for the Ecological Society of America (ESA) and is currently the Mentorship and Coaching Coordinator at Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Sciences (BWEEMS). Katie has attended WSN since beginning her Master’s in 2017 and is excited to contribute to WSN’s culture and community through the DEIC. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, tidepooling, scuba diving, and brunching!
Reilly Boyt (she/her)
Oregon State University
Reilly Boyt is a graduate student in Fisheries Science at Oregon State University, conducting research in the Chapple Big Fish Lab. Her project centers on investigating the diet and habitat use of Salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis) through the use of multiple chemical tracers. Outside of her academic pursuits, Reilly is the founder and CEO of Disabilities Within Ocean Sciences (DWOS), an organization dedicated to building a network and resource hub for disabled marine scientists at every career stage. Her advocacy work focuses on promoting inclusivity and ensuring equitable access in research, academic, and field environments within the marine science community. Reilly brings a unique perspective to her endeavors, drawing from her experiences as a retired Team USA Paralympic swimmer and a longstanding disability advocate. Through her multifaceted background and dedication to advancing diversity and accessibility, Reilly strives to create positive change both within her field and beyond.
Gina Contolini (she/her)
Greater Farallones Association, NOAA Affiliate
Gina Contolini, PhD, is a Kelp Restoration Specialist working to investigate opportunities to restore and protect kelp forests on the northern California coastline. Gina has studied marine ecology all over the Pacific coast from Washington State to Panama. She studied intertidal community ecology for her PhD research at UC Santa Cruz, and kelp management during a postdoctoral fellowship with California Sea Grant and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. In her free time she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, road biking, stand up paddleboarding, and playing with her two pet rabbits. She joined the WSN DEIC in 2024.
Drew Talley (he/him)
University of San Diego
Drew Talley is a coastal ecologist and Graduate Program Director for the Environmental and Ocean Sciences department at the University of San Diego, studying both wetlands and the deep connections that occur between often starkly different ecosystems, such as spatial subsidies at the land-sea interface. Underlying Talley’s research and teaching is a philosophy that science, teaching, and social/environmental justice are all improved by being intentionally interwoven wherever possible.