Sarah Belcher, who participated in the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s (SkIO) Semester at Skidaway program in fall 2022 and received a bachelor’s degree in ocean science from UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Marine Sciences in 2023, is now pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, along with fellow Semester at Skidaway alumna, Ava Meier.
Belcher, who is from Kennesaw, Georgia, transferred to UGA from Georgia Highlands College, where she earned her associate’s degree in biology. Between undergraduate and graduate school, Belcher worked as an animal care specialist at a state park in South Carolina, where she gained experience participating in a wide range of coastal conservation and education projects.
SkIO: What are you researching at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and who are you working with?
Sarah Belcher (SB): I am studying chemical oceanography while working in the Northern Gulf of Alaska (NGA) Long Term Ecological Research project (LTER) with Dr. Ana Aguilar-Islas. My research focuses on phosphorus cycling, specifically seasonal distribution and adsorption/desorption dynamics. During this field season, I was fortunate to participate in three different research cruises, spending a total of 50 days at sea. I have just completed all the total phosphorus analysis and am getting ready to start a new desorption-leaching experiment (which is the part I am most excited for).
SkIO: What inspired your love for marine science and, more specifically, your track of study?
SB: As a kid, I was always fascinated with exploration and was really curious about the ocean. When I was 13, I was given the opportunity to learn to scuba dive, and my first dive post-certification was in Florida. I came face-to-face with a baby manatee. I knew from that moment there was nothing else I would rather do than study the ocean. While at UGA, I worked in Dr. Clifton Buck’s and Dr. Patrica Yager’s labs, where I became interested in marine chemistry.
SkIO: How did your time at SkIO/UGA influence your education/career path and prepare you for where you are today?
SB: Both at SkIO and UGA, the interdisciplinary nature of the ocean sciences courses really gave me a great understanding of how marine chemistry, biology and geology impact one another, and I keep this mindset while working on my current project. Specifically, at SkIO is where I got my start in field and boat-work, and that hands-on experience has certainly carried me to where I am today.
SkIO: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
SB: Haha, this is my least favorite question. In the next five to 10 years, I hope I am continuing my education and/or work in Alaska. While I do sometimes miss the Georgia salt marsh, I have come to really appreciate the diversity of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. I love a good glacier view.
SkIO: What do you do for fun, outside of your work/studies?
SB: Outside of work, I can always be found outside. I love camping and climbing, and since moving to Alaska, I have learned to ice-climb. I have also learned to ski and will soon be taking my first ski camping trip (if the snow decides to stick next time and not melt). I carry my camera on all my adventures and love taking photos around Alaska.
About SkIO
The UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a multidisciplinary research and education institution located on Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia. The Institute was founded in 1967 with a mission to conduct research in all fields of oceanography. In 2013, SkIO was merged with the University of Georgia. The campus serves as a gateway to coastal and marine environments for programs throughout the University System. The Institute’s primary goals are to further the understanding of marine and environmental processes, conduct leading-edge research on coastal and marine systems, and train tomorrow’s scientists.