Jamie Andersen Fields
They/Them
I am queer and I am a marine scientist.//
Greetings! I’m a queer, disabled, marine scientist from Seattle, Washington.
I studied Oceanography and Biology at the University of Washington from 2015 to 2018 where I completed research in marine geochemistry and intertidal ecology. I navigated my undergraduate while seeking care for multiple disabilities, which included many many medical appointments, and neurosurgery between my junior and senior year. During my undergraduate I formed strong bonds with other queer and disabled students, and it was that community support that bolstered me in hard times.
Since graduation, I’ve worked as a North Pacific Groundfish Observer and as a covid times hospital worker. I hope to continue my education in a MSc or PhD program researching intersections of marine geochemistry and ecology in the Anthropocene.
I grew up as the eldest child in a big family within a fairly insular conservative community outside Seattle. I didn’t have any strong queer presences in my life, and I definitely didn’t feel safe exploring, much less celebrating, my identity. I want better for other young people, which is why I’m excited about initiatives like 500 Queer Scientists that seek to amplify our stories. It’s also important to me to emphasize my identity as a disabled scientist, because we are also vastly underrepresented in STEM.