Samantha-Lynn Martinez

Tell us about your work/ research. What kinds of things do you do?

I am an avid marine and terrestrial wildlife ecologist who strives to make science and engaging with natural environments accessible and exciting for all. At my home institution, the University of Washington, I'm grateful to be surrounded by courses and habitats that align tightly with my passions. From photo-IDing Steller Sea Lion populations in the Western Aleutian Islands in Alaska to analyzing videos of hummingbirds wearing tiny movement-tracking backpacks from Colombia, my interests span far and wide, but imagery technology has always been a driving tool for my work.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I was born in the Philippines and then moved to Seattle when I was about three or four years old. Given that I grew up surrounded by marine environments, I had a natural draw to these ecosystems from the moment I could explore them for myself. I've always known from my kindergarten days that I wanted to work with animals or the natural world in general. However, there didn't seem to be a clear route to follow or easily accessible opportunities for someone my age. I started working with the Seattle Aquarium as a Youth Marine Science Interpreter in high school. I picked up nearly all of my in-person science education and public engagement skills through this particular program. When the COVID pandemic hit, I was forced into a position where in-person engagement was incredibly limited, so I started exploring media, videos, photography, and graphic design. All of these skills have been developing alongside my career as a scientist, so I'm excited to see where this road leads me next!

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

I've had so many powerful and inspirational women come into my life over the past few years, but Erin Ranney, another E/V Nautilus Video Engineer, is one person whom I credit much for my recent improvements. 
She is such an absolute rockstar in her field. Since meeting her around 4-5 years ago during a high school research paper interview, she's helped me navigate the wild world of natural history filmmaking and introduced me to a whole community of other camerawomen who push me to be a better version of myself with each day that passes. Being unafraid to be open and honest about the ups and downs of this particularly niche field has been incredibly comforting and empowering for me and others in the same boat. Seeing my passions manifested in another person who is a few years further down the line has helped me realize that my own dreams are much closer and more feasible than I might think. Achieving these dreams is certainly not a shot in the dark.

What element of your work/ study do you think is the most fascinating?

The most fascinating thing about my work is how quickly people can fall in love with new critters or environments just from hearing a new story about them. I've seen countless kiddos giggle with joy after getting an "urchin hug" for the first time and immediately running to their friends and family to share fun facts about their new discovery. Turning fear into fascination is absolutely enthralling. I take so much pride in facilitating these storytelling moments, and if I can get someone to care a little more about something beautiful in this world, that's a job well done.

How did you get involved with Ocean Exploration Trust? How did you become part of the expedition team?

I watched the E/V Nautilus live streams throughout my tween/teen years and absolutely LOVED the concept of co-exploration of scientists and audiences. I knew that video was a great way to introduce people to places and stories that often feel far away from our day-to-day lives, and I told myself that I'd love to get on the boat one day to contribute to that very mission.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

There are SO many wacky turns in my career that have led me to where I am today. Aside from my very first gig at my local aquarium as a habitat interpretation volunteer, one of my first jobs outside of that position was a Communication Fellow position with a youth program. I got to practice all types of creative work while mentoring and facilitating with other students just a few years younger than me. I've served as a graphics and infographic artist for other education organizations, but this time, I was strictly focused on marine science. Like my first gig, I created educational materials, diagrams, graphics, and videos and continue to do so to this day. Communication gigs aside, I simultaneously worked in biological research in multiple capacities, from the tiniest Hummingbirds to the largest species of Sea Lion. Having a combination of confidence in both science and communication has opened a million more doors for my career journey. I've taken plenty of odd jobs here and there to keep up with the unexpected nature of my science and comms work, but ultimately, every position I've ever had has provided me with opportunities to learn and grow as a person and as an early career professional.

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelors of Science in Biology (Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation) and Marine Biology with Interdisciplinary Honors - University of Washington 2024

What are your hobbies?

Aside from frolicking around with my camera in the forests and urban areas of Seattle, I love making stickers and movie poster designs for fun. I often create project/team patches or stickers for big research efforts, and I design "movie posters" based on significant moments in my life as a form of journaling!

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

If you want to go down the Science Communication route, I 100% recommend practicing writing whenever you can. This goes for any science communicator, regardless of the type of media you might specialize in. Even though I'm a graphics artist and camerawoman, I've encountered MUCH more writing than I could have anticipated, even though that's not my primary function in most of my science communication work. Creative work in the science world still requires copious hours of ideation, collaboration, research, and communication with other team members, grant committees, and potential supporters for specific projects. Writing emails is also crucial for pitching yourself or your projects to new collaborators. Suppose you can strike a balance between your STEM practical skills *and* your written and verbal communication skills; you will have a massive leg-up in both industries for science and communication.