Samantha-Lynn Martinez CV

(As of 1/20/2025)

Education

University of Washington (Sept 2021 - Dec 2024)

BS in Biology (Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation), Minor in Marine Biology, and Interdisciplinary Honors

  • Interdisciplinary Honors Program Lead Peer Educator

  • Media and PR chair for SeaDawgs RSO for Marine Science

  • College of the Environment Ambassador

Scholarships & Awards

  • Nancy Wilcox Award - $5,000 (2023)

  • Porath-Johnson Scholarship - $1,050 (2023)

  • Donald S. Farner Scholarship - $1,250 (2023)

  • Mary Gates Leadership Scholarship $5,000 (2023)

  • Friday Harbor Labs Award - $4,000 (2024)

  • Richard E Fitzner Award - $2,500 (2024)

  • Anne-Hoff Blinks Award - $1,500 (2024)

  • Keeler Excellence Award - $10,400 (2024)

  • Husky 100 (2024)

Skills & Certifications

CAMERA OPERATION

Brains: Sony, RED (REDucation Certified), Nikon, GoPro

Lenses: CN20, Laowa Primes, more

View OWNED kit

DRONE OPERATION

Mavic Air 2 + Mavic 3

POST-PRODUCTION

Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Davinci Resolve

WILDERNESS FIRST AID

WFA (10/2024)

WFR (Coming soon)

DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION

Vector-Based: Adobe Illustrator + Adobe InDesign

Pixel-Based/Traditional: Procreate, Adobe InDesign

DRIVING/BOATING

Driver’s License and Boating Safety Card (WA)

FIELD RESEARCH

FRIDAY HARBOR LABORATORIES (MARCH - JUNE 2024)

Saccharina latissima growth rate and depth field researcher

  • Assembled and maintained clay pot depth setups to test for varying growth and decay rates of Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissima) in situ

  • Handled bi-weekly data collection of thallus measurements

  • Conducted data analyses on thallus growth data

NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) (JUNE 2023 - AUG 2023)

National Marine Mammal Laboratory/Alaska Fisheries Field and Manual Review Intern

  • Conducted manual reviews of over 3000+ remote camera images of Steller Sea Lion rookeries and haulouts

  • Worked on research vessel conditions for over 340+ hours with tasks ranging from scientific work to vessel operations

    • Scientific work: prepared camera equipment, veterinary supplies, and data entry tools

    • Vessel operations: skiff launches and retrievals, loading/unloading skiff cargo, and debris monitoring

  • Experienced in marine mammal handling (specifically Steller Sea Lion pups) during routine health assessments and tracking/surveying efforts

  • Captured images with long-lens DSLR from over 10 different haulout sites along the Aleutian Island chain

MADE IN PUGET SOUND (2020 - 2023)

Stream Team Manager

  • Managed an intimate crew of 7 aboard vessels during dive trips and coordinated crew rotations between seasons

  • Responsible for transportation, operation, and upkeep of camera and streaming gear, including underwater housings, aerial/underwater drone systems, and topside camera rigs

LEARNING ENDINGS WITH HENRY ART GALLERY (2022)

Photo-ID Research Assistant

  • Assisted in Photo-ID and behavioral survey efforts of local Harbor Seal, California Sea Lion, Steller Sea Lion, and Harbor Porpoise populations in local Seattle parks

FILM AND INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

FREELANCE WILDLIFE FILM (2022-PRESENT)

Self-Shooter and Editor of Wildlife-Oriented Film (Most recent/relevant projects listed below)

  • Self shooting with personal kit (see here and below)

  • Handle all footage and editing needs (Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve), in addition to animation needs (After Effects and Procreate Dreams)

E/V NAUTILUS | OCEAN EXPLORATION TRUST (2024)

Video Engineer on Expedition NA165

  • Manually operated and maintained camera systems onboard ROVs Hercules and Atalanta, as well as on-ship cameras during 24/7 livestreams

  • Coordinated with navigation, ROV pilots, and scientists for biological and oceanographic sampling efforts at-depth

  • Used cinedeck softwares for footage retrieval and archiving, including viral moments like the deep sea mola sighting and Chaunacops

HOLLYWOOD CLIMATE SUMMIT (JUNE 2024)

Marketplace and Acquisitions screening assistant

  • Managed In-House event needs and material dispersal among screening attendees at the Creative Artists Agency Theater

  • Assisted in check-in and hospitality of attendees and filmmakers

NOAA FISHERIES NORTH PACIFIC RIGHT WHALE AND ACOUSTICS TEAMS (JUNE 2024- DEC 2024)

Outreach and Communications Assistant

  • Assisted with narration and post-production of webpage and social media videos about the critically endangered North Pacific Right Whales

JACKSON WILD SUMMIT (SEPT 2023)

Event Hospitality Crew and Attendee

  • Managed In-House event needs and material dispersal among summit attendees

  • Setup/Teardown for Media Awards

REDUCATION COURSE (RED DIGITAL CINEMA) JACKSON (SEPT 2023)

Workshop/Bootcamp Student

  • Attended a three-day STO course to review camera operation and post-production workflows specific to RED camera brains, including the Komodo, Komodo-X, V-Raptor, V-Raptor Rhino S35

  • Used Canon CN20 Long-Lens (50-1000mm), Laowa Prime Cinema Lenses (varying focal lengths)

WILDMOTION (APRIL 2023 - PRESENT)

Talent Database manager, Webmaster, and Event Photographer

  • Managed reel and contact information collection and integration onto Wildmotion’s site

  • Documented Wildmotion events including Jackson REDucation and the Hollywood Wildlife Camerawomen Meetup and Workshop

  • Maintained site with event or class offerings

HIHO KIDS: KIDS MEET A MARINE BIOLOGIST (FEBRUARY 2023)

Host on educational children's episode in collaboration with HiHo Kids, Da Vinci Kids, and CUT

  • Hosted my own episode of the popular YouTube Kids and Da Vinci Kids series "Kids Meet"

  • Utilized natural history collection specimens to help children explore the fascinating world of fish biodiversity

  • Filmed onsite in collaboration with the CUT studio production team and managed prop adaptations and safe handling procedures along the way

  • Shared among an audience of 5.24+ million subscribers with 2+million episode views as of December 2024

SCATTRLAB EPISODE ONE: HOW DO FISH HEAR? (AUTUMN 2022)

Producer, Editor, and Animator of educational video, lesson plan, and activities in collaboration with UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, UW Interdisciplinary Honors Program, and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

  • Produced a 14.5-minute video with animations, live-action, and scientific figures featuring the basics to the bizarre of fish hearing anatomy.

  • Developed and designed complementary assignment questions for higher-level/college-level students to test their skills in analyzing scientific figures and interpreting data

  • Designed complementary learning activities and worksheets of varying levels, from elementary to high school, relating to fish hearing anatomy, otolith structure, and phylogenetic relationships

THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL: FUN FACT FRIDAYS (2022-PRESENT)

Host, Producer, Editor, and Animator for weekly Educational Shorts Series

KIT and EXPERIENCE

OWN:

  • Sony A7IV Camera, DJI RS3 Gimbal, DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RODE Wireless PRO Mics, Benro Fluid Head Tripod, Macbook Pro 2020, iPad Air 4th Gen, GoPro Hero 9

USED/TRAINED:

  • Nikon Camera Brains (D5300, Nikon D500)

  • RED Camera Brains (Komodo, Komodo-X, V-Raptor, V-Raptor Rhino S35)

  • Canon CN20 Long-Lens (50-1000mm), Laowa Prime Cinema Lenses

LAB RESEARCH

UW FRIDAY HARBOR LABS (MARCH - JUNE 2024)

Isopod Grazing Preference and Eelgrass Wasting Disease Student Researcher

  • Collaborated with Dr. Olivia Graham and FHL peer, Megan Cosand, on the setup, data collection, and analyses between feeding preferences of two species of marine isopod in genus Pentidotea

  • Collected wild specimens while snorkeling across local UW preserves on San Juan Island, and oversaw husbandry of lab-reared specimens

  • Presented final research at ZooBot Mini-Symposium - developed research paper and poster

UW BEHAVIORAL ECOPHYSICS LAB (2022 - PRESENT)

Research Assistant

  • Analyzed video data of hummingbird behavior and movement with a computer-learning program, with the intention of determining the ethics of deploying radio-telemeters to study animal movement

  • Cross-collaborated with graduate students and lab leads to organize assistant tasks

BURKE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND CULTURE (2022 - 2023)

Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Photographed hummingbirds from the spread-wing collection at the Burke to detect color-signaling invisible to the human eye

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

WASHINGTON SEA GRANT (JUNE 2024 - SEPT 2024)

NOAA Science Camp Coordinator

  • Oversaw registration of 85+ local middle school campers, including communication between families leading up to the camp itself

  • Managed team of educators and NOAA staff volunteers during two weeks of camp

    • Inclusive of daily task delegation, risk management reviews, and indoor/outdoor activity supervision scheduling

  • Created Data Dive curriculum support graphics for students to use and engage with throughout camp

SEATTLE AQUARIUM (2017 - 2021)

Marine Science Interpreter, Youth Programming Representative, Leadership-Pod

  • Engaged with aquarium guests at habitat spaces and presentations, represented program at government and outreach events

  • Acquired skills in marine biology/oceanography research and outreach with dissections, plankton tows, water sample analyses, public speaking/presenting, etc.

  • Mentored newcomers into the youth program as an "L-Pod" member, a position among a select group of experienced program volunteers utilized in newcomer training, advanced guest interaction, and lab skill certifications

Social Media Campaign Admin & Content Creator

  • Created and moderated Puget Sound conservation-themed content for the social media campaign "Puget Sound: We Love You"

  • Developed special event programming to bring ocean conservation into a virtual (and more accessible realm) via videos, photos, illustrations, writings, etc.

MADE IN PUGET SOUND (2020 - 2023)

Senior Scientific Communication Advisor

  • Facilitated real-time marine science interpretation and diver-audience interactions via streams to YouTube

  • Managed livestream elements and technology via OBS and YouTube Live

GEEKGIRLCON (OCT 2023)

DIY Science Zone Facilitator

  • Facilitated play testing and outreach related to a hummingbird ecology education game, Hummingbird Sugar Rush, with creator Alyssa Sargent

SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADORS (2020 - 2022)

Communications Fellow

  • Created graphic and video content to populate the organization's social channels and meet 2 partner content-creation contract needs

  • Developed Livestream assets and Produced the annual 2050 Update Event

DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION

FREELANCE DESIGN (2020 - PRESENT)

Freelance Graphic Designer and Illustrator

  • Designed print, digital, and animated graphics for over 50+ clients

  • Previous project clients include NOAA Fisheries, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Cotopaxi, UW Data Science, UW Astronomy, #YouTubeNewWave, Creator Camp, Seattle Aquarium, and more

  • Featured Clients/Projects:

    • Ocean Exploration Trust and E/V Nautilus - 15 Year Anniversary T-Shirt Design

    • Erin Ranney - My Alaskan Journey Movie Poster and Merch series for Defend Yakutat and United Tribes of Bristol Bay

    • Kirsten Neuschäfer (Winner of the Golden Globe Race 2022) - Commemorative Victory Merchandise

  • Proficient in Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign, Figma, Canva

NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION: (JAN 2024 - DEC 2024)

NPRW Outreach Graphic Designer and Illustrator

  • Designed print, digital, and animated graphics for webpage and print outreach materials including bookmarks, posters, and stickers

THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL AND PACIFIC MAMMAL RESEARCH (2020 - PRESENT)

Lesson/Diagram Graphic Designer, Media Manager

  • Design series of 20+ Diagrams and 60+ Infographics used for marine science education material for K-12 classrooms and Social Media outreach

  • Responsible for all programming logos, apparel design, and learning material design

TEACHING/EDUCATION

NOAA SCIENCE CAMP (JULY 2024)

Video Production Instructor

  • Taught a group of 20 middle school students concepts of basic video pre-production, camera operation, and post-product

  • Assisted in the development of two day-of mini-documentary projects spearheaded by students and screened at the closinmeeting of camp

  • Coached students on camera and editing equipment use

UW DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY (2023-2024)

Peer Facilitator for Video Storytelling in Biology Course

  • Provided online feedback sessions for students of video storytelling course

  • Hosted workshop sessions around video editing and graphic production

  • Facilitated in-person wildlife camerawork workshops to provide students with hands-on experience with film equipment specialized for long-distance shots

UW COLLEGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT (2023 - 2024)

College of the Environment Student Ambassador

  • Hosted 1-1 tours of the College’s facilities for prospective students and their families

  • Tabled at university fairs near the Greater Seattle Area

  • Spoke on panels related to research and resources across campus courses

UW INTERDISCIPLINARY HONORS PROGRAM (2022-2023)

Peer Educator (2022) and Lead Peer Educator for Honors Introductory Course

  • Developed and taught lesson plans for small class sessions to bolster first-year students’ understanding of program curriculum requirements and academic planning resources available on campus.

  • Facilitated workshops on building academic portfolios and developing strong academic planning habits for the remainder of undergrad

  • Mentored new Peer Educators in 2023 to assist in first-time lesson plan creation and provided feedback on teaching performance or tactics

UW SCHOOL OF AQUATIC AND FISHERY SCIENCES (SAFS) (2022 - 2024)

Undergraduate Liaison for Students Exploring Aquatic Sciences (SEAS)

  • Coordinated open house events (with 1600+ in attendance) and field trips (averaging 30 students per trip) to the UW SAFS campus for prospective students (averaging 30 students per trip) from local schools

  • Developed lesson plans related to fishery science concepts, like genetics and fishery stock assessments, for 6-12 classrooms in the Greater Seattle Area

  • Collaborated with a team of graduate students and faculty from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) to establish outreach goals and assessments of SEAS programming efficacy in partner schools and programs

  • Provided the board with an undergraduate perspective on programming and approaches better improve inclusive resources and opportunities for our outreach plans

THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL (2020 - 2021)

Education Assistant

  • Taught on boat-based and shore-based experiential learning programs for students 6th grade and older

SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADORS (2021 - 2022)

Leadership Coordinator

  • Mentored 70+ Middle/High School students in environmental advocacy and education video and graphic media production

  • Planned and facilitated 12 Problem-Based-Learning labs for students, teachers, and professional development coaches year-round

  • Developed and Designed 18 NGSS-compliant lesson plans and classroom material for environmental and sustainability-themed curricula

TALKS, INTERVIEWS, AND PANELS

E/V NAUTILUS: MEET OCEAN EXPLORER SAMANTHA-LYNN MARTINEZ (2024)

Featured Q&A guest on Nautilus blog for expedition NA165

HIHO KIDS: KIDS MEET A MARINE BIOLOGIST (FEBRUARY 2023)

Host on educational children's episode in collaboration with HiHo Kids, Da Vinci Kids, and CUT

KIRO 7 NEWS: SEATTLE AQUARIUM INSPIRES THE YOUNGER GENERATION (JULY 2021)

Featured Guest on Kiro 7 segment about the Youth Ocean Advocate Program

SEATTLE AQUARIUM: BLOG (APRIL 2022)

Featured on Lifting Up Youth Voices For Positive Change

SEATTLE AQUARIUM: OCEAN CAREER SERIES LIVESTREAM (MAY 2021)

Moderator of the four-part livestream series for youth interested in pursuing marine sciences

  • Panels featuring a set of four rotating aquarium staff members each week, maintaining panel flow and timing while directing questions to appropriate recipients

  • Collaborated in Pre and Post-Show meetings with panel guests and aquarium PR organization

SYLVESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL COLLGE READINESS DAY (MAY 2023)

Featured Speaker

INGRAHAM HIGH SCHOOL ‘WHO’S A SCIENTIST’ (NOVEMBER 2024)

Featured Speaker

UW INTERDISCIPLINARY HONORS PROGRAM (SEPT - NOV 2023)

Moderator for Global Challenges, Interdisciplinary Answers event

  • Moderated an interdisciplinary discussion between three faculty members of the University

    • Polly Olsen, Director of DEAI & Decolonization/Tribal liaison Burke Museum of Natural History

    • Tony Lucero, Professor and Chair of Comparative History of Ideas (CHID)

    • Katie Davis, Associate Professor Information School (iSchool)

  • Collaborated alongside the event producer and director of the Honors Program to survey first-year students on their questions and create prompts for the event

  • Designed event posters and promotional illustrations and graphics

UW MEDIA and COMMUNICATIONS - MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS (2022-PRESENT)

Featured on multiple written and audio pieces regarding my research, sci-comm work, and experience

  • Marine Biology - All written and/or Edited by Niamh Owens