Dr. Karina Lorenz Mrakovcich is a Professor at the US Coast Guard Academy where she teaches Fisheries Biology, Fisheries Management, Atmospheric and Marine Sciences, and advises capstone research projects. She is the Program Chair for the Marine and Environmental Sciences major and the chair for the Faculty Research Forum lunchtime seminar series. She is a member of Education Committee for the Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and a faculty fellow for the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment at the Connecticut College. Dr. Mrakovcich has a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University. She was born and grew up in São Paulo, Brazil and studied Oceanography at the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Her research draws from fisheries and environmental sciences, maritime security, and scholarship of teaching and learning.

Education

• Ph.D., Fisheries Science, Oregon State University, 1998
  Dissertation: Anthropogenic activities associated with the status of salmon stocks in Pacific Northwest watersheds.
• M.S., Fisheries Science, Oregon State University, 1993
  Thesis: Fishermen versus managers: perceptions and conflicts in the Pacific salmon fishery.
• B.S., Marine Science and Biology (Honors), East Stroudsburg University, PA, 1988
• Undergraduate student in Oceanography at “Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro”, Brazil,1985-1987

Courses Taught

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

• Fisheries Biology (5334)
• Fisheries Management (5445)
• Atmospheric and Marine Sciences (5442 and 5444)
• Capstone Experience (5381, 5480, 5481)
• Research in Marine Science and Project in Marine Science

Selected Topics: Visiting Assistant Professor of Fisheries Science, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Humboldt State University, CA

• Introductory Fish Population Dynamics
• Principles of Fishery Management, Ichthyology
• Techniques in Fisheries Biology
• Commercial Fisheries, Fisheries Seminar

Visiting Assistant Professor of Fisheries Science, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Humboldt State University, CA

• Introductory Fish Population Dynamics
• Principles of Fishery Management
• Ichthyology
• Techniques in Fisheries Biology
• Commercial Fisheries
• Fisheries Seminar

Selected Publications and Presentations

• Mrakovcich, K. and C. LaCasse. 2024 . Prompting Engagement: Scaffolded Writing Designed to Enhance Student Learning in Fisheries Biology”. Journal of College Science Teaching. https://doi.org/10.1080/0047231X.2024.2405440 Zapalska, A. M, S. Zelmanowitz, H. Jackson, C. LaMonica, K. Heckman, and K. Mrakovcich. 2020. Development of Effective Distance Learning in Response to Covid-19 Pandemic. International Journal for Infonomics 13(2): 1992-2004.
• Mrakovcich, K. L. (2023). Invited speaker to the members of AmericCorps, New England Science and Sailing Foundation (NESS). Spoke about career in science education and about Fisheries. January 30, 2023 (virtual).
• LaMonica, C. and Mrakovcich, K. L. (2022). Virtual panel discussion on “Different Systems Narratives on IUUF.” Center for Adaptive and Innovative Statecraft IUUF Applied Research Series. August 16, 2022.
• Mrakovcich, K. L. (2022). Invited speaker to the members of AmericCorps, New England Science and Sailing Foundation (NESS). Spoke about career in science education and about Fisheries. May 10, 2022 (virtual).
• Mrakovcich, K. L. and C. LaCasse (2022). “Developing a Learning Environment for “Flow”: Ocean Literacy through Collaborative and Creative Work”. Ocean Sciences meeting March 1, 2022 (virtual).
• LaMonica, C. and K. L. Mrakovcich. “COVID-19 and the future of coastal habitat in Latin American and Caribbean Countries”, New England Council of Latin American Studies annual conference, College of Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, October 30, 2021.
• LaMonica, C. and Karina Mrakovcich, “Human Insecurity in the Maritime Environment and Coastal Zones,” Human Security in the Maritime Environment Conference, United States Naval War College (NWC), [Virtual] October 28, 2021.
• Mrakovcich, K. L. Invited moderator for the 24th International Seapower Symposium. Lead the session on “Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing”. September 2021, Naval War College, Newport, RI.
• Mrakovcich, K. L, and Chris LaMonica. “How negative feedback loops that lead to fish stock depletion, job loss, and environmental degradation have contributed to maritime security concerns in the Latin American and Caribbean region”. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society virtual conference, June 2021.
• Mrakovcich, K. L. (2021, March). Invited speaker for a virtual presentation during STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) week to discuss career path as a woman scientist to help inspire students with their future career paths. Colégio Santa Maria, Bogotá, Colombia, March 2021.
• Mrakovcich, K.L. Guest panelist and speaker at the Geography 2050: The Future of the World Ocean virtual conference. Participated on a panel on the “Geopolitical Arena of the Ocean” around Oceans as a Contested Environment. Discussed questions related to contested oceanic geographies, how geographic knowledge can help de-escalate tensions in contested regions, and the Northern Sea Route as a contested region. Presentation on overfishing as one of the “10-greatest challenges facing the world ocean”. November 2020.
• Mrakovcich, K. L. and C. LaMonica. “Rethinking maritime governance in the battle against Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) Fishing in West Africa”. Presented a talk at the American Fisheries Society virtual conference in September 2020.
• Mrakovcich, K.L., D. Bergondo, L. Vlietstra and V. Futch. “Ocean Literacy as Part of Outreach Programs in Marine and Environmental Science Education”. Poster presented at the Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society conference in Boston in February 2020.
• Futch, V. And K. K. Mrakovcich. 2017. Breeding Professional Excellence: For close to 20 years the Academy’s Science Department has offered unique internships that expand cadets’ horizons. U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association Bulletin December: 44-46.
• Mrakovcich, K. L., I. Frommer, and J. Gonzalez. 2017. Faculty At Sea Aboard CGC TAHOMA. U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association Bulletin August: 50-51.
• Pomeroy, R., J. Parks, K. Mrakovcich, and C. LaMonica. 2016. Drivers and impacts of fisheries scarcity, competition, and conflict on maritime security. Marine Policy 67:94-1-4.
• Vlietstra, L., and K. Mrakovcich. 2016. Not your average floating lab – R/V Greeley, Spirit of ’61 proves instrumental in science curriculum with state of the art equipment and design. U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association Bulletin February: 44-47.
• Smith, C. L., J. Gilden, and K. Mrakovcich. 2012. Shifting Salmon Baselines. pp. 33-54 In Bobby Hall[Ed.] Ecological Baselines for Oregon’s Coast. Words & Pictures Unlimited, Corvallis, OR. 79 pages.
• Hall-Arber, M. and K. L. Mrakovcich. 2010. Better Safe Than Sunk: Massachusetts fishermen find value in hands-on safety training. Coast Guard Journal of Safety at Sea Proceedings of the Marine Safety and Security Council 2010-2011 Winter Fishing Vessel Safety issue.
• Mrakovcich, K. L., B. Stutzman, J. White, and R. Paolino. 2009. Faculty-to-sea program: onboard CGC Bertholf and CGC Seneca. Pages 65-67 “In the Service and Beyond”. US Coast Guard Academy Alumni Bulletin, October 2009 issue.
• Hall-Arber, M. and K. L. Mrakovcich. 2008. Reducing risk to life and limb: safety training steps towards resilience in Massachusetts’ commercial fishing industry. Human Ecology Review 15(2): 201-212.
• Mrakovcich, K. 2006. Anthropogenic factors affecting the status of salmon stocks in Pacific Northwest watersheds. Center for Advanced Studies. United States Coast Guard Academy. Report 10-06 May 2006. Available at www.uscga.edu/academics/advanced.aspx
• Smith, C. L., J. Gilden, B. Steel, and K. Mrakovcich. 1998. Sailing the Shoals of Adaptive Management: the Case of Salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Environmental Management 22(5): 671-681.

Honors

• Special Achievement Award American Fisheries Society Southern New England Chapter (SNEC). 2024. Description of award: Dedication to SNEC has been integral to the success of the Chapter, especially regarding its support of student involvement and professional development.Distinguished Faculty Award for 2015, United States Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association. In recognition of that senior faculty member who exemplifies the most positive aspects of teaching, inspiring students, contributing to the general welfare of the cadets and providing leadership to the Academy at large. August, 2015.
• Irwin Alperin Award from the American Fisheries Society, Southern New England Chapter, for outstanding contributions to the Chapter or Parent Society, including significant services, participation, and public awareness of activities, June 2013.
• Certificate of Appreciation to Chapter President, Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 2009.
• Instituto da Pesca Guest Speaker Award, for presentation at a National conference in Brazil, 1997
• Mastin Fund Scholarship, Oregon State University, during graduate studies, 1994

Professional Memberships

• Southern New England Chapter of American Fisheries Society – Committee and Board of Directors and member
• American Fisheries Society
• National Marine Educators Association
• Scuba Diving Certification

Additional Information

• Advisor of Capstone/research projects on: Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing in Oceania, America, and in Africa; microplastics and marine debris, species distribution and abundance on the Thames River.
• Experience aboard U.S. Coast Guard vessels: Participated in the “Faculty-To-Sea” program in March 2017 aboard CGC TAHOMA and in June 2009 aboard CGC BERTHOLF. Spent one day aboard the USCGC CHINOOK observing three fisheries boardings in April 2006.
• Attended Coast Guard fisheries boarding course in 2000, Joint Base, Cape Cod, Mass.