Anabel Baker
I am Anabel Baker, an honors undergraduate sophomore in ecological engineering at Oregon State University. I have a strong passion for the ocean. From tidepooling to participating in intertribal Canoe Journey with my Samish relatives, my interest in the marine world is pervasive in nearly every aspect of my life.
Throughout my life, love of the ocean influenced my chosen paths. In high school, I volunteered over 650 hours as a Youth Ocean Advocate and exhibit interpreter at the Seattle Aquarium, and earned my Associate's degree alongside a high school diploma through the Ocean Research College Academy. During this time, I gained experience using oceanographic equipment and processing the data we collected. I also took on a submersible operations internship with OceanGate, which helped ignite my interest in ocean engineering.
At the Roundhouse Foundation Innovation Lab Internship this summer, I hope to add to my knowledge, and go through the engineering process in a setting that sparks my creativity. I have so many questions, ideas, and things I wish to explore at the Marine Studies Building Innovation Lab through the Roundhouse internship. My goal is to gain hands-on experience and apply what I've learned in my engineering classes in the marine environment, a setting that inspires me. I also look forward to learning about how engineers can have interdisciplinary collaborations with other marine fields. Being able to participate in the design process for marine-oriented projects alongside mentors and experts will provide vital experience and knowledge for my future career.
At OSU, I recently had the privilege of touring the Ocean Observing Center while gathering ideas for my Honors undergraduate thesis. It was inspiring and amazing to see the sea gliders being built in the lab, and view the station displaying all the active gliders moving far out to sea.
My favorite escape place is underneath the ferry dock at low tide, especially in the summers when it's hot. This is the only place I've been able to reliably see sea pens in the Seattle area of Puget Sound, and every time I go, they are right there nestled into the sand amidst the pilings. It's been my spot to hide away for years now, and I always feel comforted wading knee deep in the Puget Sound and looking around for my favorite little critters.
When it's cold and rainy, there's nothing better than some good soup. An what is the ocean if not a very big soup?
Check out Anabel's poster here.