As a participant and volunteer, Eileen Audette has been an active member of the NOSB since 2010. She was on the Seward High School team until 2012 and volunteered in 2016 at University of Alaska’s Tsunami Bowl—the same bowl she once competed in.
The NOSB had a special impact on Audette’s life and career by providing the platform she needed to begin her journey as a scientist. She recalls “[the] NOSB piqued my interest in exploring our oceans and the things that live in them. Having this experience in high school helped me realize what field I wanted to pursue higher education in, and ultimately [led] me to where I am professionally today.” During her senior year in high school, she received a scholarship from a local seafood processor who supported the NOSB students planning to study fisheries at Alaskan universities. She majored in fisheries with a minor in marine science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, graduating magna cum laude.
Currently, Audette works for the National Park Service as a biological technician doing fisheries research in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. During the summer months, she works on several sockeye salmon escapement projects. During the fall and winter seasons, she conducts research around several other resident fish species by doing various tagging, radio telemetry, and sonar studies.
Audette’s favorite parts of competing were the “sense of camaraderie between teammates and even other teams during the competition. Having the chance to discuss complex marine science research and development issues with some of Alaska’s leading scientists and faculty members was an opportunity that most people don’t have at the age of 16—if ever! [The] NOSB formed a unique platform for aspiring marine problem solvers to meet and interact with current professionals, as well as created an atmosphere of learning that was fun and exciting and inspired me to dig deeper.”
To find out more about NOSB alum, click here.
