We are so excited to introduce you to our first STEMSEAS Alumni Advisory Committee! These amazing people have all sailed with us one or more times and are dedicated to giving back to the program through serving as ambassadors and advisors for making the program even better. Feel free to reach out to them to ask questions about STEMSEAS or provide feedback.
Melanie McCoy
Hello! My name is Melanie McCoy. I am a senior at Western Washington University (WWU) majoring in Marine and Coastal Science, minoring in Geology. As a proud alumni of Whatcom Community College and the STEMSEAS program, I am honored to be a part of this committee. Marine science has been my life’s passion for as long as I can remember. Throughout my time in college I have also been lucky enough to discover a passion for geology and earth sciences. I aspire to spend my life learning and find great joy in working to develop a better understanding of complex natural systems. After graduating from WWU this spring, I hope to move on to a graduate school program in physical oceanography or marine geophysics. Email: melanie.mccoy18@gmail.com
Alondra Infante-Stevens
Alondra Infante-Stevens, a proud Mexican American mother to a 1-year-old daughter. She is a Travel Coordinator, combining her love for education and exploration to create unforgettable experiences for students. She is a former middle school science teacher dedicated to sparking a love for STEM in young minds. With a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies in Geology, Physical Science, and Environmental Science from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, she has a deep appreciation for the outdoors, which initially fueled her career.
Alondra’s journey has been shaped by a diverse range of experiences, including participation in the first-ever STEMSEAS expedition and sailing aboard the JOIDES Resolution with the JR Academy. She has taught science camps, spoken at conferences, and worked as a Student Manager for Southwestern Advantage, honing her leadership and organizational skills.
What fascinates her most is watching students from low-income communities, like herself, develop a passion for science. Supported by her father’s teachings on hard work and her husband’s encouragement, she continuously strives to inspire the next generation.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, writing poetry, painting, traveling, and spending time with her family. Her advice? Never give up on your dreams, stay curious, and always keep learning! Email: alondrainfante@gmail.com
Rylin Lofton
I’m Rylin Lofton, I’m a biology major at The Ohio State University where I’m also an undergraduate research assistant studying microbes living in the West Antarctic ice sheet. I sailed on The JOIDES Resolution for JR Academy and R/V Endeavor with STEMSEAS in 2023 and I sailed on R/V Thomas G. Thompson summer 2024 in a collaborative internship with ONR AND STEMSEAS. Email: rylinlofton@gmail.com
Jeremy Lewan
Jeremy Lewan sailed on the R/V Sally Ride in August 2022 from Seattle to San Diego. He majored in meteorology at Rutgers University—New Brunswick, but with the added requirements of the Honors College he was enrolled in at the university, he had a hard time fitting in a minor in oceanography. He conducted research on the Raritan River, an vital ecosystem to Central New Jersey, and craved more experiences out on the water. STEMSEAS enabled him to continue his study of marine ecosystems, alongside a diverse array of young scientists from across the US, on the Sally Ride.
Since STEMSEAS, Jeremy was hired as the evening weekday and weekend meteorologist for the ABC-affiliate WNEP-TV Stormtracker 16 weather team in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is the only long-haired on-air male meteorologist in America. He spearheaded a brand new initiative at his station to prepare and produce weekly written and oral Spanish weather broadcasts to ensure Hispanic communities remain informed and safe. He also writes, films, edits, and produces his own segment called “Jeremy’s Journeys,” where he showcases events and places unique to Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania.
He is an avid eclipse enthusiast, and as a NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassador, he aims to share eclipse science and safety with his viewers and community through multilingual broadcasts. Jeremy has always been inspired and encouraged to pursue his passions, and he aims to encourage others by dismantling long-outdated stereotypes and serving as a role model for students who look like him, thus championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the geoscience realm. Email: jal532@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
Brancen Redman
Hi, I am Brancen Redman. I am a junior at Oklahoma State University majoring in Geology and Global Studies. I became interested in the ocean as a child but my love really took off after I sailed aboard the JOIDES Resolution (JR) Academy in 2023. Since then, I have gotten deep in ocean-related research, even declaring a minor in oceanography! I hope to continue studying the ocean, dedicating my life to helping better understand one of Earth’s last frontiers. Email: brancenredman1176@gmail.com
Jen Valenzuela
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jen Valenzuela is an emerging marine tech who has taken a non-traditional path into field science. After graduating from San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, she received an Associate’s degree in Biology from Mission College. She then attended West Valley College, where she completed certificate programs in Geospatial Technology and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Technology.
Through Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), Jen was introduced to and fell in love with fieldwork, conducting fisheries-independent shark surveys in Biscayne Bay, Florida. Despite the financial, educational, and eligibility barriers that non-traditional folks like herself often face in pursuit of field experiences, she continued to follow her passion, landing roles supporting marine and forest ecology surveys in Costa Rica and contributing efforts in bull shark nursery research in Crystal River, Florida.
With a desire to push herself further, Jen became curious about venturing into offshore opportunities. In 2025, she participated in the June STEMSEAS expedition, sailing aboard R/V Atlantis. The experience had a profound impact on her; Jen quickly found herself at ease with the work-life regimen aboard a global class research vessel, and she was immediately drawn to the roles and responsibilities of the marine technicians.
Post-expedition, Jen has been following an offshore marine tech career path. In addition to seeking work opportunities, she has obtained certifications, pursued additional education, and continues to grow her network. She also enjoys serving as a peer-mentor, fostering positive and supportive learning environments in field science. Email: dropindolphin@gmail.com
Rohan Vaswani
Rohan Vaswani is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) majoring in Earth System Science with a specialization in Oceanography. He sailed with STEMSEAS aboard R/V Sally Ride in September 2024 from Newport, OR to San Diego, CA along with the February 2025 Marine Tech expedition aboard R/V Sikuliaq out of Honolulu, HI.
In addition to his involvement in STEMSEAS, Rohan is appointed as an Class of 2024 Undergraduate Scholar with the NOAA Educational Partnership Program where he has completed summer internships with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research along with the NOAA Office of Coast Survey. He is currently working on an Honors Thesis in Earth System Science at UCI studying vertical turbulence in the ocean using novel calculation methods. In the future, Rohan hopes to continue his involvement with shipboard science through his interests in hydrography, marine technology, and ocean exploration. Outside of his work, Rohan enjoys photography and getting outdoors! Email: rdvaswan@uci.edu
