Education & Outreach

Katelyn (Katie) DeWinter

 Katie is a senior at the University of New England, majoring in Marine Science with minors in Geographic Information Systems and Applied Mathematics. Originally from Livonia, NY, Katie plans to continue her academic studies in graduate school and aims for a career as a researcher, studying the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Her current research involves studying the effects of sea level rise on Maine’s salt marshes, using GIS to measure changes in area cover of salt marsh pools over time and the relationship between pool formation and marsh elevation.

Ruth Ellis

Ruth is an environmental science major with a GIS minor. Before college, she grew up and graduated high school in Merrimack, NH. With a huge love for the environment and specifically the impacts of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems and people, she devotes her college studies to understanding and combatting the negative effects of climate change. Her current research focuses on coastal erosion, storm damage, and salt marsh health and monitoring over time.

Matthew Pittsley

Matthew is a senior in environmental science with minors in marine biology and Geographic Information Systems. He is originally from Cape Cod, MA and will be graduating from UNE a semester early in December. Matthew’s main interests are in coastal and wetland ecology and how these environments are changing in response to climate change. Additionally, he is interested in how coastal communities will be impacted and improving coastal resilience. His main research has been on the impacts to beaches and dunes from winter storms in Maine using drone imagery. He is eager to use his skills in GIS to study changes to coastal areas and habitats facing sea level rise and climate change.

2023 Angela Stokes Awards Recipients

Christian LaMontagne

Growing up on a small island community, off the coast of Portland, I started working on the water from a young age. Lobstering each summer since high school, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Classics from Bowdoin College in 2021. Ever since I started fishing, I have been interested in the nexus of environmental data, geospatial technology, and fisheries management. Today, as a licensed commercial lobsterman and commercial scallop dragger, I am exploring my interest in public policy and developing important GIS skills that I hope to use to enact meaningful change in my community and beyond. Beginning my study at the Muskie School of Public Service in the fall of 2022, I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Policy, Planning, and Management. I currently reside in my home community, the Town of Long Island in Casco Bay.

Gabby Ravin

I am a sophomore at the University of Southern Maine majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Sustainability Studies. I am an environmentalist, feminist, and animal activist. I love to play with my dogs, hang out with friends, and talk to new people. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to win this scholarship as my interest in GIS is new but rising.