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Home / Academics / Academic Majors / Marine and Environmental Sciences / Marine and Environmental Sciences Faculty and Staff / Dr. Karina Lorenz Mrakovcich

Karina Lorenz Mrakovcich, Ph.D.

Professor, Marine Science Program Chair, Marine and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Karina MrakovcichDr. 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. She is a member of the Education Committee and the Board of Directors for the Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. She is 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
  • Marine Fisheries (5434)
  • Marine and Environmental Issues (5445)

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

  • Jackson-Summer, A. G, K. L. Mrakovcich, J. P. Gray, C. M. Fleischmann, T. Emami, and E. J. Page. 2024. A systematic review of inclusive pedagogical research using the CIRTL inclusive pedagogy framework: multi‑disciplinary and STEM perspectives, current trends and a research agenda. Discover Education 3:30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-024-00093-y
  • Jackson-Summer, A. G, K. L. Mrakovcich, J. P. Gray, C. M. Fleischmann, and T. Emami. 2023. A systematic review of inclusive pedagogical research using the CIRTL inclusive pedagogy framework: multi‑disciplinary and STEM perspectives, current trends and a research agenda. Faculty Research Forum presentation at CGA on October 30, 2023.
  • 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 Sustainable Fisheries. January 30, 2023 (virtual).
  • 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.
  • 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 Sustainable 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 sustainability 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”.
  • 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.S., K.L. Mrakovcich, V.C. Futch, and B.S. Stutzman. 2016. Anthropogenic climate change in undergraduate marine and environmental science programs in the United States. Journal of College Science Teaching 45(5): 34-43.

Honors

  • 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 – Member of Education Committee and member of Board of Directors
  • 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 and in Africa; microplastics and marine debris, climate change and 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.

Contact Information

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Sponsor Family Application

Thank you for submitting your application to be part of the Sponsor Family Program. Your application will be processed in the upcoming week. Coast Guard Academy’s policy on background screening now requires all adults (everyone 18 and older living in the home) who volunteer to mentor, teach, coach or sponsor cadets, whether on or off Coast Guard Academy grounds, to be screened every 5 years. They are required to provide personal information (name, birth date and social security number) for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check.

The Security Officer at the Coast Guard Academy, CWO2 Gina Polkowski, is overseeing this process. Her email is: Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.

Sponsor Family designations fall into several different categories. Below are the guidelines to help you determine how best to meet the background screening requirement:

  1. If you are Coast Guard active duty you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
  2. If you are a Civilian working for the Coast Guard you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
  3. If you are non-Coast Guard Active Duty, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at  Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
  4. If you are non-Coast Guard civilian who has a current security clearance or National Agency check, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at  Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
  5. All civilians in the families who are 18 years or older and do not have a security clearance or a National Agency Check are required to be vetted through Mind Your Business, the third party vendor hired by the Coast Guard Academy for the vetting process.

After you complete your application, please e-mail the Sponsor Family Program Coordinator at CadetFamilySponsorProgram@uscga.edu. In your e-mail, you must include the e-mail address and phone number of every adult living in the home. The Sponsor Family Coordinator will then initiate the background check process and you will receive an email with further instructions.

Important things to note:

There is a Sponsor Family Training that is a one-hour training which we ask sponsors to attend once every four years. This training is designed to give you an overview of the program, what is expected of you as a sponsor, and what you can expect from your cadets. This training will also help familiarize you with the cadet regulations onboard CGA. You will be notified via e-mail once the training is scheduled.

The matching process of swabs to families will occur during July and August. Please bear with us and remain flexible through this process. There will be a meet and greet scheduled on Campus, typically in late August. This will give families an opportunity to formally meet their cadet if they have not already done so. Details on this will also be via email.

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