04/28/2026
From SPMC Marine Tech Mira Lutz, who just returned from the Pacific Estuarine Research Society conference in Newport, OR: “A shout out to everyone who contributed to WWU students giving stellar presentations at this year’s PERS conference in Newport. These were truly enjoyable. Grad students, Delaney Adams, Marisa Viola, Aleutia Morris, and Jessica Scotten, and MACS undergrad, Zack Woods, shared their research with poise, clarity, and confidence equal to experienced scientists.
WWU students nearly swept the awards. Aleutia received the Honorable Mention (2nd place) award for grad student presentations, and Zack won first place for undergrad students, both including Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) membership. In a first for PERS, Jessica tied with Lara Breitkreutz from UW to both win the Heinle Award, including CERF memberships and $500 each toward attending the CERF conference. And Jessica did so presenting on sediment ammonium in the final hours of the conference, which she magically made fun and exciting (evidence of a truly effective educator).” 👏
