Kate Fetkenhour

After graduating from ASU with my Earth and Environmental Studies degree, I was hired to work as a research technician. I work on reactive oxygen species measurements in coral cell and 3D bioprinting.

Being from the desert never dampened my interest in the ocean. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work in the marine science field, but I never expected to be doing what I am :)  My first memorable experiences with the ocean were playing in the tide pools in San Diego and Mexico, and my interest only grew from there. I started SCUBA diving in 2016 and instantly fell in love. I became a Master Diver in 2021 and since then have been working towards becoming an SSI Dive Pro. Being able to see these ecosystems as they occur in the wild has deepened my connection to them because I have watched as they die off and grow weaker. With the current climate crisis so deeply affecting these ecosystems, my desire to enact positive change so that future generations can have the same love for the ocean that I do has only grown.

In the future, I plan to continue my education in marine science through a PhD or Masters program to deepen my understanding and knowledge regarding coral reef ecosystems and their biochemical interactions within the organism and with their environment.