The challenges facing our ocean are evolving, and so are the careers dedicated to solving them. Join the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) and Ocean Conservancy for a deep dive into the world of ocean conservation careers! We’re bringing together three incredible early-career professionals to share their “navigation charts”. They’ll discuss the schools they chose, the risks they took, and the work they do every day to protect our coastlines. We welcome everyone, from current students to interested community members, to come learn how these ocean leaders are turning ocean literacy into action.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

7-8 pm Eastern / 4-5 pm Pacific

Zoom Meeting: Register to Attend

A recording of the event will be shared directly with those who register and posted on our YouTube channel, though we strongly encourage attendance to maximize engagement. This event is offered as part of our Professional Development Webinar Series for the 2026 Competition Theme “Ocean Conservation: Connecting Science and Stewardship for a Healthy Ocean.” You can expect at least one competition question to be based on the content presented in this event.

Meet our Early Career Panelists!

Aspen Bataille

Science & Knowledge RAY Fellow

Aspen Bataille is an early career interdisciplinary coastal scientist and the Science & Knowledge RAY Fellow for Ocean Conservancy. Aspen comes from the luku kairi maroon communities of Ayiti Kiskeya (commonly: Hispaniola) and currently lives outside of Washington, D.C. His work spans between several programs at Ocean Conservancy, including Arctic and Northern Waters, Climate, Fisheries, Plastic, and Conservation. Much of his time is spent using mixed ecological and socioecological data to provide support to projects across teams and with coastal community-partners.

Prior to joining the RAY Fellowship, Aspen graduated from George Mason University in 2021

with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology focusing on topics like food sovereignty and traditional ecological knowledge. Wanting to gain a deeper understanding of human-environment interactions and connectivity between ecosystems, he held positions in community-engaged research under the Marine & Community Conservation Externship with The Nature Conservancy and National Geographic Society and under the Thomas Lovejoy Amazon Biodiversity Center.

In his free time, Aspen enjoys hiking, exploring new foods, and sharing stories with friends.

Anjel Iriaghomo

Engagement and Outreach Specialist, International Coastal Cleanup®

Anjel Iriaghomo is the Engagement and Outreach Specialist on the International Coastal Cleanup® team at Ocean Conservancy. A Connecticut native based in northern Virginia, she helps cultivate, coordinate and activate strategic partnerships with other conservation organizations around the world. Anjel received her B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Science with a minor in Business Administration from Clemson University in 2022. After graduating, she accepted a position as a RAY Conservation Fellow, a two-year program that aims to increase and facilitate conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy-related career pathways for emerging leaders. She joined the Government Relations team at Ocean Conservancy where she gained experience on Capitol Hill lobbying on ocean advocacy policies and legislation.

As a second-generation Nigerian American, Anjel has always been a champion for the people and the planet, motivated by having a more sustainable and equitable future for all. 

She is accompanied by her trusted sidekicks, two quirky black cats.

Tyrese Mitchem

Government Relations Fellow

Tyrese Mitchem is a current RAY Fellow at Ocean Conservancy, where he works on the Government Relations team. His portfolio spans several programs at Ocean Conservancy, including Ending Ocean Plastics, Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning, and Ports and Shipping. He spends much of his time meeting with congressional staff on Capitol Hill to discuss ocean-related initiatives, researching legislation, and collaborating with team members to develop advocacy strategies. 

Tyrese moved to Washington, DC, after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Sociology. While at UCSB, he held a range of environmental roles, including serving as an Informal Science Educator at the Research Experience and Education Facility (The REEF) and as program field staff with the Wilderness Youth Project. He also completed a senior thesis focused on the lack of racial and ethnic diversity within UCSB’s Environmental Studies program. 

In his free time, Tyrese enjoys running, reading manga, and being a plant dad!