Jena earned her bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and chemistry from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and her master’s degree in oceanography and teaching from the University of Hawaii, Manoa.  After completing her bachelor’s degree, she followed her love of the ocean to Wood’s Hole Institute for a summer fellowship studying ocean currents.  Jena experienced her first research cruise with the Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries studying fish populations and chemical gradients through a Fulbright Grant.  As a graduate student, she studied the effects of Asian air pollution on climate change at SOEST before pursuing her love of teaching.  Jena has taught mathematics course ranging from Pre-Algebra to AP Calculus along with physics, chemistry, and marine biology science classes.  She is currently a faculty member at ‘Iolani School in Honolulu, Hawaii and is excited to gain research experience working at sea with world-renowned scientists, develop lesson plans, and connect classrooms with R/V Falkor.  

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