Ileana Fenwick | Opening Doors and Data in Marine Science

The Sustainable Carolina Podcast

Ileana Fenwick is both a marine scientist and a data scientist. Pursuing her doctorate in the UNC Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences, she searches for patterns in fisheries ecology data. Because she strongly believes that greater data transparency and inclusion will help solve the climate change puzzle, she challenges herself to share her own data and code with other scientists.

Outside of her research, Fenwick works to help other Black environmental and marine researchers feel less isolated in their work. With direction from Openscapes and a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, she leads the Pathways to Open Science Program. The remote, 6-part program brings in Black researchers and speakers to talk about data-intensive science with participants. This work is made possible through partner support from Black in Marine Science, Black Women in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Science and seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Launched in fall 2020, Sustainable Carolina is the University’s comprehensive initiative to advance and amplify all sustainability activities, including reducing the University’s environmental footprint through three goals: net zero water usage, zero waste to landfills and net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Led by Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Piehler, Sustainable Carolina will advance these goals through collaborative partnerships across operations, academics, and research.