Today we’d like to introduce you to Mo Wise.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started in Dana Point, where I was born and raised. I was raised at the beach with parents who really fostered a sense of curiosity with the natural world from a young age. My passion for marine science was truly ignited during my senior year of High School at Dana Hills High School, where I took the Marine Ecology class, which offered a ten-day field study on the beaches of Baja. That experience launched me into studying marine sciences at UCSB, where I received a B.S. in Aquatic Biology. From UCSB, I became a research SCUBA diver for a coastal marine science laboratory-based at UCSB, which was probably the most exciting and exhilarating job I’ve ever had! I yearned for a deeper understanding of marine science, and in particular, I was drawn to the world of phycology – which is the study of seaweed/algae.
I moved north to Monterey Bay where I attended Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and studied both Phycology and Chemical Oceanography. My thesis research involved both water quality testing as well as seaweed growth in the Elkhorn Slough located in the heart of Monterey Bay. My love for aquatic science leads me to the job I currently have at the Irvine Ranch Water District as the District’s Wetland Scientist. I now work cleaning and treating urban runoff using manmade wetlands that are integrated into the urban environment. These manmade wetlands help clean urban runoff before the water flows to the sea. As a side job, I create seaweed art! I love the connection between science and art – which has to lead me to create herbarium-style art using local seaweed I find while free-diving off the shore of Dana Point. Being in the ocean brings me such a sense of peace as well as awe for the natural world. I use my art to showcase the beauty of seaweed and bring it into people’s homes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to where I am today was most definitely not always smooth. I was always the kid in school that really had to put in the extra effort in order to get good grades – it didn’t come easy for me. I always managed to get A’s and B’s, but in college, I failed (literally got an ‘F’) organic chemistry. Failure was a new concept for me, and it took me for a spin. Realizing that marine science was really the path I wanted to pursue and knowing organic chemistry was required, I managed to get tutoring until it finally clicked and I was able to get through it. Following school, graduate school was a period of time that stretched my understanding and determination in ways that shaped who I am today. The road can be rough, but I think the real payoff is knowing how to navigate through those times instead of running away from the challenge.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am deeply inspired by the connection between art and science. I am a formally educated marine scientist but have always held an admiration and passion for the abundance of art that is found within the scientific realm. There is a connection between art and science in that both crafts are trying to better understand, see, or experience something more profoundly. I really appreciate the use of art in the understanding and communication of science.
In my free time, I freedive off the coast of Dana Point and collect free-floating seaweed to bring home and press. I press the seaweed-like you would press a flower to dry out. Once dried, I either mount the seaweed and frame or I inlay it in resin on wood. I think showcasing the natural world through art not only is pretty and interesting to look at, but it can create a visual representation of the awesome intricacies and design that the natural world provides. I see science and art as holding hands. In my experience, I have grown from studying algae/seaweed in the laboratory setting to showcasing the intricacies and beauty of seaweed in my art. I have found that appreciating the natural world through art can also inspire others to love and care for nature in a more intimate way.
What’s next?
I plan to continue to work in the aquatic science field in the future. I really enjoy my work as a wetland scientist, and I plan to continue working to help clean and preserve our coastal water resources. I hope to increase my efforts in wetland restoration and habitat conservation as well. I also plan to continue making seaweed art to fill the walls of the homes of my friends and family near and far.
Contact Info:
- Email: maureenmwise@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SaltyAndWise?ref=shop_sugg
- Instagram: @mo.wise @saltyandwise
