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 chair of the 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
• 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

• 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 – Chair of Education Committee and Board of Directors and membe
• 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.