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Pacific Northwest College of Art

Meet Ella Ashford BA'25

With research funding from the federal government and Willamette University, Ella Ashford BS/BA’25 is helping scientists and students use cutting-edge technology to understand the impact of climate change on these endangered underwater ecosystems.

Portrait of Ella Ashford BA'25

Unlocking the secrets of coral reefs on the front lines of climate change

Buried deep in the ocean near American Samoa is crucial evidence of how climate change and human activity are ravaging vibrant coral reefs. Rising water temperatures can cause coral bleaching, putting the reefs and the species that call them home at severe risk.

But without dedicated researchers like Ella Ashford BS/BA’25 working on the front lines of climate change, we might never know the extent of the damage. That’s because Mesophotic coral reefs in American Samoa are in a sweet spot that makes them difficult to study —  the waters are over 100 feet deep making it very dangerous and expensive for divers to operate in. Their location makes these reefs particularly mysterious — and particularly vulnerable.

For island communities like American Samoa, the dangers facing coral reefs are anything but theoretical. The reefs are home to rich aquatic ecosystems that are crucial to the island’s fishing industry and local economy. Reefs can also provide a living safety net that protects the island from storm damage.

“If we don't understand what our reefs look like now, then we don't understand how they're changing with impacts like climate change,” Ashford says. “It's quite devastating on the local infrastructure and the incredible biodiversity that exists on these reefs. You're really just taken away by the beauty of these incredible ecosystems that so many people might not get the chance to ever see but are influencing both local and global patterns.“

Ella poses with the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa’s ROV after a successful field operation using it to monitor

 

Now, thanks to a research methodology Ashford developed alongside scientists at the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, they will now be able to study these coral reefs at depths that were previously difficult and expensive for human divers to navigate.

“It was pretty cool to come in as an intern and contribute to something significant that will have a lasting impact on the sanctuary’s coral reef ecosystem monitoring,” Ashford says.

It’s just another chapter in Ashford’s rich Willamette story, with pages filled with her experiences traveling the world as a seasoned explorer of knowledge, pursuing remarkable research experiences with faculty and fellow students. She’s already used drones to examine archaeological sites in Greece and underwater robots to study ghost crab pots off the Oregon coast. 

Last year, Ashford earned the prestigious Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with the support of Willamette faculty and career development staff — making her one of only three students in Oregon to receive the award. She also received research funding from Willamette’s presidential scholarship, which provides financial support to students conducting summer research.

Following her Hollings internship, Ashford spent a month aboard the research vessel E/V Nautilus, owned and operated by famed oceanographer Robert Ballard, who discovered the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Sailing off the coast of American Samoa, Ashford deployed autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to study and document the changing conditions in the deep sea ecosystems surrounding the Vailulu’u seamount.

We can’t protect what we can’t see.
Ella Ashford BA'25

Now, Ashford is working to expand the number of people who get the chance to experience the beauties and mysteries of the ocean. For her presidential scholarship, Ashford is working with local teachers and schools to open the doors to ROV education in American Samoa, documenting roadblocks like lack of internet access.

Ashford believes strongly that everyone should benefit from the fruits of scientific knowledge. It’s a philosophy she sees reflected in Willamette’s motto: Not unto ourselves alone are we born, and an approach that initially drew her to Willamette.

“I think the environmental science department at Willamette really embodies that,” Ashford says. “We have this amazing faculty that bridges the natural sciences and social sciences. At our school, they’re meshed together in this beautiful way, where we do amazing research in the department and weave it into community action.”

 

Ella poses with teachers from ROV Professional Development Workshop, part of her Presidential scholarship research project

As she returns to Willamette’s Salem campus to begin her senior year, Ashford knows that her experience is possible because of the many mentors and supporters who helped guide her on her journey.

“I have the greatest appreciation for my mentors Val Brown and Bel Halatuituia at the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa as well as Professor of Environmental Science and Archaeology Scott Pike and Associate Professor of Environmental Science Melinda Butterworth and the Willamette Environmental Science Department for their support throughout my summer research,” she said.

Giving others the chance to learn about ROVs is deeply personal for Ashford. She’s inspired by her upbringing in Hawaii and her experience engaging in high school robotics competitions. 

For Ashford, the coral reefs of American Samoa are a story of resilience — both for the natural adaptations of the reefs themselves and the communities and organizations who have stepped up to protect them. By using technology to document the impacts of global climate change on these rich ecosystems and engaging communities in the process, she ultimately hopes that her work can motivate others to action. 

“I think every student should have the opportunity to peer beneath those surface ocean waters and see what's below,” Ashford said. “I have found we're not motivated to protect something we can't see.”

Learn more about Ella's Environmental Science major

Inspirational Support

Guidance and Mentorship

Ella's continued journey is deeply supported by the mentorship she has found on her path. Willamette faculty have provided invaluable support and guidance in Ella's inspirational and important work.
Professor of Environmental Science and Archaeology Scott Pike  
Associate Professor of Environmental Science Melinda Butterworth