TEMPO works at the intersection of people, ocean, and food. We created RISE to train fellows and build a more equitable field of marine science. We launched the RISE fellowship program in the summer of 2023. For 8 weeks, four new social-ecological researchers from UCSB’s Promise Scholars program joined the TEMPO team (and some have stuck around).

Program Goal

On the whole, we believe that diversity improves scientific teams. We also recognize that marine science has a need to improve its diversity. With this opportunity for change, PI Quintana built RISE to introduce undergraduate students to this field in a way that:

1. Provides high-quality mentorship and research experience for students who wouldn’t otherwise have it. 


2. Trains the next generation of social-ecological scientists.

Resilient Approach


We wanted to build a connected cohort with our 8 Fellows. Our approach works to build capacity through 1:1 mentorship. With influence from modern pedagogy theory, we paired each undergraduate Fellow with a Ph.D. student mentor.  Fellows shared that mentorship was the most enjoyable part of the program. The undergraduates all take part in UCSB’s Promise Scholars program; PhD mentors joined us from Gevirt’s School of Education and The Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. Each pair worked together to drive research questions, analyze data, and finally present it all in a Flash Talk Symposium. 

Our Lead PI and Project Manager (Anastasia and Dylan, respectively) added a Professional Development series. We asked all 8 fellows how they wanted to grow beyond research an hosted bi-weekly sessions for team building, Graduate School 101, and professional storytelling. 
 

Student Impact

More than anything, we saw that RISE fellows built confidence this summer (academic and personal.) After working through her literature Review, Tania Figueroa put it like this, “When talking to TAs, I sometimes feel stupid. I feel confident doing this research with Yutian.” 

Before June, none of these students had participated in research; they weren’t quite sure what it looked like.  Now, All 4 undergrads have taken on more research. Shane is applying to graduate school for an advanced degree in psychology. TEMPO is lucky enough to keep working with the 3 other fellows. Fátima is analyzing México’s fishery data with her mentor, Bonnie. Tania and Nia are now leading our Literature Review’s full-text extraction. We’re proud to see growth in skills, confidence, and interest.

Research Contribution

TEMPO has advanced to key research activities through RISE contributions. 

a. Detangled Ecology from México
Mentor Bonnie and Fátima analyzed a pile of complex ecological data to show us patterns of fish abundance in Mexico’s Refugios. This sets up our scientists to conduct in-depth ethnographic fieldwork and really see interactions between social and ecological outcomes.


b. Full-text Extraction
Tania and Yutian filtered over 600 academic publications to create a snapshot of existing research on time-focused marine protection. these two young researchers reviewed 600 abstracts. They continue to analyze full academic texts to give a contextual map of existing temporary reserves.

There is room to grow next year, and we plan to grow.  But, our Fellows left us confident in RISE’s Structure. Our cohort model with 1:1 mentorship is a strong way to incorporate students in social-ecological science.
For more, check out UCSB’s write-up on the program! Below your learn about each fellow and RISE's funding source. 

Meet Our Fellows

Shane Kelley

Shane Kelley earned a B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from UC Santa Barbara. Throughout his final year of undergraduate studies, he led an undergraduate research project regarding the psychological factors involved with injury rehabilitation, including mind-muscle connection, imagery, and positive thought. This project concluded with a formal presentation to UCSB’s Exercise and Sports Studies Department. He hopes to use this research to branch into a future career as a professional sports psychologist or mental skills coach. He is happiest at the beach, Dodger Stadium, or golfing with friends. His days often start by putting on a vinyl and doing an at home workout.

 

 

 

 

Nia Fox

 Hi! My name is Nia Fox. I am an incoming second-year at UCSB, majoring in pre-sociology with a plan to minor in film and media studies. I am an undergraduate research assistant for the RISE fellowship program where we integrate children’s perceptions of our coasts in hope to make them more sustainable and equitable. With the RISE program, I hope to develop new skills and advance my writing talents to help me achieve my future goal of becoming a published author. When I am not working, you can find me in the gym, at home crocheting, or in a coffee shop or library reading or daydreaming about my next novel. If you would like to reach me, feel free to email me at nia@ucsb.edu! 

 

 

 

 

Fátima Aguilar

I am a rising senior undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Sociology and English with a minor in Spanish. My main research interests include advocating for marginalized communities, focusing on improving access to vital resources for marginalized communities.

In my free time, I enjoy taking walks and journaling!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tania Figueroa

Hi I am going into my 3rd year as a Marine Biology major and a Promise Scholar at UCSB. After receiving a B.S. in marine biology, I want to continue my education and go to graduate school to gain a PhD and open up a lab to continue researching about preservation of marine ecology. I received a research position with RISE as a literature review. I am researching the dynamics of temporary closures and protected areas. As well, I am in the Diversity in Diving program where I am training to get scuba diving certifications to get hands-on research experience. When I’m not doing research, you could find me being a peer mentor and social chair for the Promise Scholar
program. In my free time, I love listening to music, especially Spanish music and going to amusement parks with my family and friends.

Join RISE

After a strong pilot year, we want to build upon RISE’s progress. With that, we’re looking for new funding sources that want to empower students in mentorship, social-ecological systems, marine science, and environmental DEI. If you’re interested in collaborating or working with a similar program — we’d love to talk! Please send an email to our Project Manager Dylan at Glave@ucsb.edu


Context + Funding

RISE is one of 8 projects in California SeaGrant’s new Pathways to Inclusive Research Training. The program gives research opportunities in marine and coastal science to California undergraduate students from underrepresented groups.