{"id":3422,"date":"2026-01-30T22:56:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/wrigley\/?p=3422"},"modified":"2026-04-01T22:53:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T22:53:25","slug":"for-environmental-science-major-scientific-diving-unlocks-new-ambitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/wrigley\/2026\/01\/30\/for-environmental-science-major-scientific-diving-unlocks-new-ambitions\/","title":{"rendered":"For environmental science major, scientific diving unlocks new ambitions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n\n \n Environmental science major Emerson Damiano (left) and a collaborator work together to bag a sample of eelgrass off the coast of Catalina Island. Damiano’s experiences as a scientific diver and underwater researcher were instrumental in directing her path at USC. (Photo courtesy of Emerson Damiano)\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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For environmental science major, scientific diving unlocks new ambitions<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n By<\/span>Kathryn Royster<\/strong>\n \n January 30, 2026<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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One of Emerson Damiano\u2019s earliest memories is about biodiversity. In second grade, her teacher asked students to write a speech about a topic that was important to them. Damiano chose species extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Emerson
Emerson Damiano (Photo: EJ Dilley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She remembers that assignment as the beginning of her environmental journey. In elementary school, she founded an altruism club focused on environmental issues. She created a \u201cKeep It Green\u201d club in middle school, focused on recycling, composting, and the environmental impact of the meat industry. And in high school, she helped her science teacher with research on corals. She also interned with the Colorado chapter of the Inland Ocean Coalition<\/a>, which advocated for ocean-friendly policies like bans on plastic bags and styrofoam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was when I realized I wanted to study the ocean, especially government policies that affect the ocean,\u201d Damiano says. \u201cI started researching colleges and read all about the Wrigley Institute. I thought it was so cool that USC had its own campus on Catalina Island for environmental research.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Damiano entered USC on a pre-law track, intending to become an environmental lawyer. But her first course in the Environmental Studies (ENST) Program<\/a> changed her mind. David Ginsburg<\/a>, her ENST 100 instructor, encouraged her to take the program\u2019s scientific diving course.<\/a> Damiano obtained her certification during finals week of her first year at USC.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been kind of non-stop getting certifications and diving ever since. I\u2019ve been trying to do everything I can to involve myself in policy, but from the outside. I really found a passion for field research through scientific diving,\u201d Damiano says.<\/span><\/p>\n

She switched to the Progressive Degree Program in environmental science<\/a> and graduated in May 2025 with her combined B.A.\/M.A. in the subject, plus a B.A. in French. The ceremony capped off a packed four years of coursework, internships, research projects, and life-changing experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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“Having actual conversations with people and getting to know them is the best way to make change.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n