Miho Umezawa joins California Sea Grant as Research and Fellowship Coordinator

La Jolla, Calif. — California Sea Grant is pleased to announce that Miho Umezawa has joined the program in a newly created position as Research and Fellowship Coordinator.

Umezawa will oversee the coordination of California Sea Grant (CASG) research and fellowship opportunities. For more than 40 years, CASG has provided hundreds of scientists research funding. Additionally, California Sea Grant offers fellowship opportunities in research, natural resource management, and marine policy that allow graduate students to explore their interests and broaden their experience.

In her new role, Umezawa will organize the scientific reviews of proposals, arrange and manage panels and workshops, and coordinate Sea Grant’s growing fellowship programs.

“We are thrilled to have Miho join our team,” said California Sea Grant Director Jim Eckman. “As a former California Sea Grant State Fellow, she understands the roles and potential of Sea Grant, and shares our values and our focus on making marine science work for Californians.”

“My experience at the California Natural Resources Agency and Ocean Protection Council as a State Fellow was invaluable and has helped pave my career. I’m really excited to be on the other side to manage this exceptional program and help connect Californians to marine science,” said Umezawa.

In her most recent role as Program Manager of the Thank You Ocean Campaign, Umezawa developed outreach materials for the state’s public awareness campaign and organized marine protected area communication workshops. Her background includes work at the California Natural Resources Agency as a California Sea Grant State Fellow, as well as education and community outreach at Orange County Coastkeeper.

Umezawa holds a bachelor’s degree from University of California, San Diego, and a master’s degree in environmental science and management from the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at University of California, Santa Barbara.