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JANALEE EVANA DOUGLAS M.Sc. in Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Alumnus
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Growing up in the rural fishing community of Toco, the sea was not just a backdrop for Janalee Evana Douglas's life, it was a living classroom. Her earliest research, even as a secondary school student, focused on the coral reefs fringing Toco's coastline. That curiosity shaped her academic journey through an Associate and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management and ultimately led her to pursue a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management at The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).
Her time at UTT was nothing short of transformative. The lecturers were more than instructors, they were true teachers, committed to developing the whole student, not just the academic mind. The programme combined rigorous training in coastal science and management with the freedom to design projects aligned with her passions. Her master's thesis on mapping Toco's coral habitat became the foundation for her later work, including a Coral Reef Habitat Mapping project funded by SPAW RAC and Green Fund. The professional and personal relationships she built during her studies continue to provide collaboration and support today.
Professionally, her career has woven together research, community capacity building, and offshore environmental monitoring. As Technical Coordinator for Capacity Building at Future Fishers, she managed impactful projects such as Safety at Sea, Outboard Engine Repair, and First Aid/CPR, all offered free to fishermen to improve their livelihoods and safety. Transitioning to Technical Coordinator for Research, she gained hands-on experience with innovative tools, including Participatory UAS training with CANARI, and later applied those techniques directly to coral reef mapping.
For the past seven years, she has also served as a Protected Species Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operator, a role that takes her offshore on rotations ranging from four to six weeks, and occasionally longer, where she safeguards marine life during offshore operations. In addition, she operates an emerging environmental consultancy, Ridge to Reef, dedicated to advancing projects that balance conservation, community engagement, and the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.
"At UTT Marine Sciences, you are in good hands. Immerse yourself, build connections, and let your passion guide you; the opportunities will always return like the tide."
