konnichiwa!

My name is Mariko Polk, I am a Marine Biology PhD. student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. I was born in Japan and spent much of my life there. I currently reside in Wilmington, NC.

I conduct research within the Coastal and Estuarine Studies (CES) Lab at the Center for Marine Sciences. I am co-advised by Dr. Martin Posey and Dr. Devon Eulie. I study coastal and estuarine landscape ecology through a geospatial perspective. I have a strong personal interest in representation and inclusivity in coastal science, especially in the Southeast US, and socio-environmental justice issues related to coastal management. I strongly believe that academia can and should be a healthy and empowering environment for students, staff, and faculty alike, we are stronger together.