Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame Established in 2008 - 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Nomination Form 2018

Nominee’s Name: Michelle Ridgeway

Nominee’s Maiden Name:

Nominee’s Address: P.O. Box 211470, Auke Bay, AK 99821

Nominee’s Phone Number:

Nominee’s-mail address:

Nominee’s Date of Birth: November 28, 1963

Nominee’s Date of Death (if applicable): January 2, 2018

During what years did nominee live in Alaska: All 54 years of her life

For what achievement/contributions is the nominee best known and

for which should she be recognized? Upon the sudden death of
marine scientist, educator and conservationist Michelle Ridgway
there was much discussion on social media, radio and newspapers.
One comment, though, seemed to capture them all. It came from
former legislator Andrea Doll (Juneau) … “I am mourning the loss of
someone greater than life.” Life-long Alaskan Michelle Ridgway
was, indeed, a larger than life figure in this State. Whether piloting
a submarine to explore the depths of the world’s largest undersea
canyon, helping discover a new species of whale, fighting for marine
conservation efforts across Alaska or building the next generation of
Alaskan scientists via her marine science camps…Michelle cut a
figure that was at once memorable and impactful. As a nominee,
Michelle’s four roles as marine scientist, explorer, marine
conservationist and science educator will be discussed. That said,
she also mushed huskies, was a volunteer fire-fighter/EMT and
played a mean game of hockey, among many other attributes.
Marine Scientist: Michelle Ridgway was a marine ecologist in the
most comprehensive sense of the term. She was fascinated by the
intricacies and inter-relationships of marine species, from
microscopic zooplankton to the massive whales they nourished. She
studied, described, and measured the bio/chemo/physical properties
of the marine environment needed to sustain marine species-
helping to define species’ Essential Habitat in objective and
mathematical terms. Michelle believed the only way to truly
understand a marine species and its habitat was to observe it in situ
— alive and underwater. So she dove, she ran ROVs, and she piloted
submarines. She was at home underwater. She explored marine
realms from the tropics to the ice-covered arctic, from intertidal
pools to ocean canyons, observing and then sharing this unique
perspective with others. This sharing of knowledge —through
elaborate descriptions, intimate photos, and underwater video—
was Michelle’s unique gift. Her fascination and appreciation of
marine species, their habitat, adaptations, and ecological
connections was contagious. She would explore tidepools with a 5
year old in the morning and testify about Essential Fish Habitat
before federal resource managers in the afternoon… and both
audiences would come away with a new awareness of their marine
environment.
Michelle acknowledged Humans as a key element of the marine
ecosystem. She raised awareness and stewardship of our marine
“backyard” by encouraging local citizen/student involvement in
data collection. She worked with fishermen to seek harvesting
strategies that could promote resource sustainability and coastal
community economies. She led people to understand the
interdependency of human and marine communities. Her research
interests included biogeography and fine scale carbon transfer in
Alaskan undersea canyons, characterizing contribution of
chemosynthetic pathways to upper trophic productivity and
refinement of multibeam methodologies for identifying king crab
benthic habitat features. Specializing in deep ocean food webs,
biodiversity assessment and seabed habitat studies, Michelle
explored the deep sea canyons, leading to discoveries of several
new species and novel ecological processes. Additionally she
examined the effects of industrial scale trawling and mining on
marine communities and seafood production systems. At the time of
her passing she was endeavoring to establish a
Climate/Oceanography Data Archive and Monitoring Portal in Auke
Bay, contributing Auke Bay samples to the Smithsonian-NOAA
Marine Invasive Species Monitoring Program, and working on a film
about the Restoration of Herring in Auke Bay. Explorer: From the
time Michelle Ridgway was young, exploring the tide pools of
Ketchikan, she was drawn to the magic of life in the oceans. She
used her first PFD check to get her scuba diving license so she could
spend “the rest of my life being a research diver”. Indeed that is
what she did, diving from Ketchikan to Nome, hundreds of times.
But her most famous dive came in the summer of 2009, when
Michelle was among the first scientists to explore the Zhemchug
Canyon, an 8,500 foot canyon that plunges into the Aleutian Basin
near the Pribilof Islands. Sponsored by a research expedition of
Greenpeace, Michelle piloted an 8-foot-long submarine into this
canyon abyss. As she descended and daylight began to fade,
Michelle noticed Dall’s porpoise darting by her tiny craft. When she
reached 300 feet, the porpoise shot down for a final glance before
heading back toward the surface. Then she was the only mammal
she knew of, dropping down to 1,757 feet beneath the surface of
the Bering Sea. She documented the species and habitat at depths
and was retrieved specimens of sponges and corals before
ascending back to the surface. A link to a video capturing this
historic exploration is provided at the end of this nomination form.
It should be no surprise to learn that Michelle was a member of the
prestigious Explorer’s Club, an international club of scientists,
adventurers and philanthropists, promoting exploration throughout
the world.
Marine Conservationist: As an early board member (1995-2001) of
Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) Michelle Ridgway
helped build a community-based conservation program, inspiring
the new organization to address large fishery management
challenges by focusing on the whole ecosystem and the fishing
communities that rely on healthy oceans. She guided the program
to be rooted in science while boldly challenging the status quo. In
her capacity as a marine scientist engaged in conservation, she was
a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's
Advisory Panel from April 2000 through December 2008. She also
served on the National Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory
Committee. On the state level she served on the Cruise Ship
Wastewater Science Advisory Panel and was appointed to the
Walker-Mallott Transition Team for Climate and Arctic Policy. At the
time of her passing she was serving as science advisor to Alaska
Native Tribal communities pursuing Alaska’s first National Marine
Sanctuary in the Pribilof Domain (Bering Sea) and to Friends of
Admiralty, seeking to understand the effects of mining on Admiralty
Island coastal habitats. In all these capacities she brought
intelligence, integrity and heart to every issue. Science Educator:
Beginning in 2005, Michelle Ridgway began collaborating with the
AMCC, coastal Alaska school districts and Alaska Native entities to
develop customized "place based", hands-on Marine Science
adventure camps. Camps have been held in Old Harbor ("Nuniaq
Camp" Kodiak Island, Gulf of Alaska) in 2006, Juneau ("Auk Noow
Camp") in 2007, the Pribilof Islands ("Pribilof Marine Science Camp",
St. George Island) in 2008, and Sitka (“YAAW Herrring Camp”) 2014-
2016. After tailoring a curriculum for the oceanic locale, the local
culture and research/vessel resources available, Ridgway directed
these camps as action-packed, research based scientific expeditions
for students. In total she directed 11 marine science camps in
Alaska’s remote communities. Michelle also developed extensive
curricula and instructional strategies for conducting intensive place-
based, STEM-focused marine biology programs for Alaskan coastal
students. Additionally, she mentored dozens of students as they
advance into high school science and technology programs,
university science endeavors and marine research jobs.

Describe the nominee’s achievements which have had significant

impact in 1) Community and/or 2) Alaska and/or 3) National Marine
Scientist: It was Michelle’s familiarity with marine species that
helped produce a scientific breakthrough – the discovery of a
previously unidentified species of beaked whale that dwells in the
deep waters of the North Pacific Ocean. The conclusion, described in
a study published in the journal Marine Mammal Science of the
International Society for Marine Mammalogy, stems from the 2014
discovery of a beached whale carcass by a teacher on St. George
Island. When the inquiry for help with identification of the carcass
went out to Alaska scientists, Michelle responded quickly. She was
the first one to note that while the bones, “looks like a Baird’s
beaked whale, it doesn’t”. This assessment prompted research
scientists with NOAA to conduct DNA analysis which showed it was a
species different from the 22 previously known species of beaked
whales in the world and the three species known to swim in the
North Pacific. Michelle ended up being one of 14 co-authors of the
paper positively identifying the new and unnamed beaked whale.
Michelle and students on St George Island were also on the
forefront of identifying a new species of kelp (Golden V-kelp) during
underwater science camp investigations. Explorer: Michelle’s solo
submarine trip into the Zhemchug Canyon now has marine scientist
turning a common theory of marine ecology on its head. A common
theory is that the tiny creatures that make up the plankton kingdom
(the fundamental basis of the marine food web) hang out nearer to
the surface and that the bottom-feeding fish, sponges and other
life-forms, survive on the leaving of organisms higher up in the
water column. As a result of Michelle’s journey this might not be
true, at least in the Zhemchug Canyon. In her own words, Michelle
noted, “The entire water column was teeming with a very dense
aggregation of zooplankton. It’s rich and living at every depth we
examined.” Marine Conservationist:
The best testimonial about Michelle’s impact on conserving
important marine habitat off Alaska’s shore comes from those who
knew who her work in and around the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (NPFMC). Chris Oliver, who used to be the
Executive Director of the NPFMC and is now the Director of the
National Marine Fisheries Service, notes, “Michelle Ridgway was a
top-notch ocean scientist, expert scuba diver, avid outdoorswoman,
and ardent supporter of fishing communities and fisheries
conservation. She will be sorely missed by all of her friends and
colleagues, not only in Alaska but across the country. Those of you
who knew Michelle will understand the great loss to our fisheries
and to our hearts.” David Witherell, the current Executive Director
of the NPFMC, says, "Michelle was a passionate advocate for
resource conservation and habitat protection in the marine waters
off Alaska. As a scientist with first-hand knowledge and direct
observation of seafloor habitats, she brought a unique perspective
to the Advisory Panel's discussions and deliberations on the best
approach to conserving and managing the fisheries off Alaska.
Michelle had a great influence on the development of major
conservation policies, including actions taken by the Council to
protect vast areas of deep-sea corals, reduce bycatch, and reduce
potential impacts of fishing on Steller sea lions." Science Educator:
The success of Michelle’s marine science camps can be seen on two
levels – nationally and individually. NOAA is now emulating her
design of marine science camps as a way to bridge government
scientists with student groups. The words of those who assisted
Michelle with the science camps are the best testament to the
impact she had on children and aspiring scientists. Diane DeFazio
notes “I had the honor of being the AMCC staff person who worked
with Michelle at the Nuniaq Marine Science Camp in Old Harbor on
Kodiak Island in 2006. We spent a week together, sleeping in a wall
tent, leading children in a range of science activities which
culminated in "deep sea exploration" with the launching of a
Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV) to view what lied beneath the
ocean. Every child had the opportunity to operate the ROV. Michelle
made us all scientists and several nights towards the end of camp
we all (children included) worked late into the night to catalog the
life forms we encountered and where (habitat) we found them. It
was an intense week -- not a moment was wasted -- we were all
scientists on a very important mission and Michelle did not let us
forget that.” Karin Holser, a teacher in the village of St. George,
says, “She was willing to do whatever was needed to inspire them
to want to learn more and to understand the ocean that surrounded
their island. She was an incredible mentor to many of the kids of
both St. George and St. Paul Island. Many of these students are first
class ROV operators because she worked tirelessly to get her
personal ROV up to the Pribilof and to other communities on the
Aleutian chain for the students use. She took these science camp
kids to DC to CHOW and the Smithsonian to work with the new
whale species that was discovered on St. George. She took them to
NYC to the Explorers Club, she coached them to be keynote
speakers at PIECES, and they got an award from the Alaska
Conservation Foundation.” In looking back at her career Michelle
once commented to a colleague, that she thought the science camps
were one of the most significant things she had done because of the
positive impact she had on young people in Alaska.

What label/s best summarize the nominee’s accomplishments/role

(political activist, educator etc.)? Marine Ecologist and Researcher,
Deep Sea Explorer, Marine Conservationist and Marine Science
Educator

Education and Training: Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in

marine biology from Evergreen State College then went on to study
marine algal ecology and physiology at the University of
Washington. She gained field and lab experience working at Friday
Harbor Lab and traveled to Kobe, Japan to study under world-
renowned mariculture experts. She earned a master’s degree in
science fisheries ecology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks,
where she also served as a research associate. Since joining the
Alaska Department of Fish and Game in 1983, Michelle conducted
ocean field research from Metlakatla to Utiquiagvik. For the next
twenty plus years she worked as a Research Associate with the
University of Alaska and in ecological research and as an
independent marine ecologist with Oceanus Alaska (her own
consulting firm). As a research diver, Remote Operating Vehicle
(ROV) pilot and submarine pilot, Michelle worked in the US Arctic,
Chukchi Sea, Bering Sea, Aleutian Archipelago and Gulf of Alaska
since 1988. Including her time as a private consultant, Michelle
tallied up more than twenty-five years as an actively engaged
marine ecologist and researcher.

Professional/Work History/Community Involvement: See answers

above for career summary/work history and community
involvement.

Honors/Awards Received: Unable to document honors and awards at

this time.

If the nominee has been a role model for other women, provide
specific examples of her influence: As noted in the above
description about her role as a marine science educator, Michelle
made all the young girls attending the marine science camps feel as
they too were scientists on an important mission. St. George
teacher Karin Holser noted in her comments about Michelle that she
would always hire young women to help with her research whenever
possible. In her own notes about her career, Michelle proudly
claims that she mentored dozen of young women in high school and
college. One of these dozen young women is Emma Good, currently
a student at Western Washington University. Ms. Good says, "What I
will remember most is Michelle's passion and commitment to not
only help, but inspire young scientists like myself to succeed in the
field. For young students it is so important to have strong role
models and I hope one day I will be able to give back to this
community in the same way that Michelle mentored and cared about
me."

Nomination Submitted by: Kate Troll

Date: January 16, 2018

Your Affiliation/Association to Nominee: (i.e.) friend, colleague,

student, employee, relative, etc. Michelle Ridgway is a good friend
and a deeply respected colleague of mine. In my career with the
Alaska Department of Fish and Game, I crossed paths with her when
she was serving on the Advisory Panel to the NPFMC. Most of the
time we were on the same page regarding an issue before the
Council but when we were not, I felt the full force of her knowledge,
passion and integrity. It was then that my admiration for Michelle
soared. When as the Executive Director of the Alaska Conservation
Alliance and I had the opportunity to recommend a scientist to sit
on the Cruise Ship Waste Water Science Advisory Panel, I thought of
Michelle. Knowing that whomever I recommended would be up
against several high paid industry scientists, I not only needed a
knowledgeable scientist but one who could hold their own in
articulating the appropriate application of good science. Michelle
answered my call and submitted her name to the Department of
Environmental Conservation. As usual she rose to the challenge.
For the last ten years, I’ve been working on the challenges of
climate change and once again had the opportunity to collaborate
with Michelle, focusing on the impacts of ocean acidification. When I
recently served on the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau,
she was always available to answer my questions.

Your Mailing Address: PO Box 240128, Douglas, AK 99824

Your Telephone: Day 907-209-3050

Your Telephone: Evening: 907-209-3050

Your E-mail address: Kate.Troll@gmail.com

Your Title/Occupation: Retired, Columnist for ADN, former Juneau
Assembly person

Please include citations of written sources of information about the

nominee you are aware of such as reference books, periodicals,
websites, etc. ADN story about dive into Zhemchug Canyon -
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/science/2016/11/12/an-alaska-
researcher-made-tantalizing-discoveries-in-a-massive-underwater-
bering-sea-canyon/. Link to submarine video -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HezO6sZ_iA. ADN story about
discovering Beaked whale species - https://www.adn.com/alaska-
news/wildlife/2016/07/26/new-and-rare-whale-species-identified-
from-carcass-found-in-pribilofs/. Alaska Deep Ocean Science
Institute website - http://alaskadeepocean.com/bod.html. Scientific
Papers:
Article: sorus formation on the basal system in Aureophycus
aleuticus (laminariales, phaeophyceae), and its taxonomic revision
at familial rank H. Kawai · T. Hanyuda · K. Holser · L. M. Ridgway
Article · Jul 2013 · Phycologia
https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-
contributions/2029141855_L_Michelle_Ridgway. Ancestral
reproductive structure in basal kelp Aureophycus aleuticus Hiroshi
Kawai,a,1 Takeaki Hanyuda, L. Michelle Ridgway, and Karin Holser
Scientific Reports 2013; 3: 2491.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3749548/.
Genetic structure of the beaked whale genus Berardius in the North
Pacific, with genetic evidence for a new species. Phillip A. Morin, C.
Scott Baker, Reid S. Brewer, Alexander M. Burdin, Merel L. Dalebout,
James P. Dines, Ivan Fedutin, Olga Filatova, Erich Hoyt, Jean-Luc
Jung, Morgane Lauf, Charles W. Potter, Gaetan Richard, Michelle
Ridgway, Kelly M. Robertson and Paul R. Wade. Marine Mammal
Science. Volume 33, Issue 1: pp. 96–111. January 2017
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12345/full

Please supply names and contact information of others whom

AKWHOF could interview should the nominee be selected. Kate
Wynne, Professor Emeritus of Marine Biology at University of
Alaska, Fairbankskate.wynne@alaska.edu, Mead Treadwell, former
Lt. Governor of Alaska mtreadwell@ptcapital.com, David Wetherell,
Executive Director of North Pacific Fisheries Management
Councildavid.witherell@noaa.gov,
Karin Holser, environmental educator karinholser@gmail.com