Alexandra Brainerd

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PROFILE
Interdisciplinary marine ecologist, educator, and science communicator with 8 years of experience conducting and supporting field research across coral reefs, kelp forests, and polar ecosystems. Skilled scientific diver (PADI Divemaster; dry-suit certified) with expertise in ecological monitoring, data collection, and community engagement. Passionate about bridging science, communication, and stewardship to advance marine conservation and translate ecological research into meaningful environmental action.
 
EDUCATION  |  Stanford University
Master of Arts: Earth Systems: Environmental Communications                                                                       September 2022 (3.95 GPA)

 

Bachelor of Science: Earth Systems: Oceans, Atmosphere, and Climate                                                                    March 2022 (3.7 GPA)

• Dean's Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Achievement

 
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Bleu World | Vice President, Treasurer, and Science Diver                                                                                     September 2024 - Present

• Serve as Lead PI on a multi-year sargassum removal and monitoring project evaluating ecological impacts on kelp forest resilience.

• Conduct kelp forest monitoring dives, including Giant Sea Bass behavior, fish community surveys, and Marine Protected Area assessments.

• Expand citizen-science programs supporting Catalina marine conservation; manage organizational finances and contribute to grant development to sustain long-term research and education projects. 

 
Catalina Island Conservancy             
Senior Naturalist and Outreach Specialist                                                                                                                   January 2025 - Present

• Lead instructor for the California Naturalist and Conservancy Naturalist certification programs, integrating island ecology and restoration science into training.

• Direct internal education on the Catalina Island Restoration Project, serving as lead science educator on deer management and habitat restoration.

Education Programs Coordinator and Interim Manager                                                                                 February 2023 - January 2025

• Provided interim leadership for the Education Department, overseeing program strategy, design, and delivery to 2,000+ participants.

• Designed and taught courses, workshops, and lecture series; managed the Summer Naturalist Internship Program.

• Oversaw grant-funded education programs, including reporting, compliance, and budget tracking.

 
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Bleu World | Principal Investigator (Community-Based Project)                                                                                 August 2025 - Present
Project: Sargassum Removal and Monitoring, Catalina Island

• Leading a multi-year, dive-based study on the ecological impacts of invasive sargassum removal on kelp forest resilience. The project integrates removal trials, habitat mapping, and community training programs to inform long-term restoration strategies.

 
Stanford University | Master’s Capstone Project                                                                                                            January - June 2022
Project: Indigenous Environmental Justice & the Osage Nation

• Created a podcast and website examining intersections of Indigenous sovereignty, storytelling, and environmental justice.

 
Marine Conservation Institute | Blue Parks Science Intern                                                                                       June - September 2021
Project: Global Blue Parks evaluation

• Produced evaluation reports for Marine Protected Area (MPA) nominations, integrating ecological criteria, stakeholder interviews, and policy frameworks.

• Collaborated with scientists and Indigenous community representatives to support the global Blue Parks initiative.

 
Stanford University | Course-Based Research Project                                                                                                   January - April 2020
Project: Remote sensing of Gulf of Mexico hypoxia and Mississippi watershed precipitation

• Applied satellite data and precipitation records to evaluate drivers of hypoxic zone variability.

 
Stanford at SEA | Undergraduate Researcher and Crew                                                                                                     April - June 2019
Project: Visual communication in Purpleback Flying Squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis)

• Conducted chromatophore analyses and behavioral observations during a 6-week South Pacific expedition.

• Operated CTDs, plankton nets, and oceanographic instruments.

 
Hopkins Marine Station  | Research Assistant                                                                                                                  June - August 2019
Project: Coral reef trophic dynamics and resilience in a large marine protected area

• Analyzed prey images using ImageJ and conducted statistical analyses in R.

• Supported stable isotope research through image analysis and contributed to data visualization for trophic ecology studies

 
Heron Island Research Station | Undergraduate Researcher                                                                            September - December 2019
Project: Macroalgae–zooxanthellae interactions on Great Barrier Reef corals

• Led underwater benthic transect surveys on the Great Barrier Reef to assess coral-algae interactions.

• Analyzed coral health metrics to evaluate symbiont density and algal proximity effects.

 
Shedd Aquarium | Research Assistant                                                                                                                         June - September 2018
Project: Fish behavior and predation dynamics in reef habitats

•  Analyzed underwater video footage, identified reef fish species, and recorded behavioral data around standardized predation units.

 
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Stanford University | Graduate Teaching Assistant                                                                                           September 2021 - April 2022

• EARTHSYS 101: Energy & the Environment (50 students): Led discussion sections, held office hours, supported assignments, and assisted with course logistics.

• EARTHSYS 10: Introduction to Earth Systems (400+ students): Assisted instruction in a large introductory course, coordinated with faculty and supported student learning outside lectures.

 
COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE
Apple Studios  | “Killers of the Flower Moon'' Production Assistant                                                                                 April - June 2021 

• Ensured accurate cultural representation of the Osage Nation by coordinating background actors and supporting set logistics.

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The YEARS Project  | Climate Media Intern                                                                                                              June - September 2020

• Researched and developed digital media content on climate science and environmental issues.

• Produced scripts and videos that reached 3M+ viewers, translating complex science into accessible, public-facing storytelling.

 
FIELD AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Field Research: Scientific diving (PADI Divemaster; experience includes kelp forest, coral reef, and cold-water/Arctic expedition dives), ecological transect surveys, species identification, MPA monitoring, benthic surveys, oceanographic instrumentation (CTD, plankton nets), small boat handling and shipboard crewing.

• Data & Analysis: R, MATLAB, Python, ArcGIS, SeaDAS, ImageJ, data visualization, statistical analysis.

• Research Communication: Scientific writing, literature review, curriculum development, public outreach, digital media production.

CERTIFICATIONS

• California Naturalist Certified Instructor

• PADI Divemaster and Rescue Diver

• PADI Dry Suit Diver

• PADI Freediver 

• Wilderness First Aid 

• CPR/AED

• Red Cross Lifeguard