Ana Penavic (MA, 2024)

Ana Penavic, a 2024 Marine Conservation and Policy graduate, landed her first post-MA job as a scientific diver while still finishing up her internship work. As a scientific diver with Aqualogic, Inc., she spends her days removing invasive aquatic species (AIS), typically Variable Leafed Milfoil, that are infesting the lakes of New Hampshire. She and her team are sent to sites based on survey data from the NH Department of Environmental Services that identifies hot spot zones of the AIS. Each diver then dives for three hour shifts to eradicate the milfoil found in that area. When not diving, Penavic supports the in-water diver as a tender, and kayaker to ensure safe diving conditions and to help remove water-surface AIS.

Ana Penavic came into the MCP program wanting to tackle climate change issues through an interdisciplinary lens. Her undergraduate education focused on advocacy related to climate, conservation, and human displacement due to political/economic strife. She wanted to focus on maritime conservation in Southeast Asia and joined the MCP program to work towards that goal. While at SoMAS, Ana got her scientific diving certification and completed a capstone in Thailand using her new diving skills to survey giant clams and coral reefs. Ana shared that her favorite part of the MCP program was all the amazing people she met including students, professors, and professional connections.