KINGSTON, R.I. – July 7, 2025 – Bryan Plankenhorn is a doctoral student in the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. Plankenhorn is also a proud member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe in Washington state. These two facets of Plankenhorn’s life might seem separate, but they are very much intertwined.

“My journey as a graduate student has allowed me to bridge my identity as a scientist with my Indigenous identity,” said Plankenhorn. “It has been an incredible intersection to explore and has helped me put words to how I always felt about my relationship to the land and ocean.”

After completing undergraduate degrees in chemistry and biomedical biology from Central Washington University, Plankenhorn enrolled in URI’s joint degree program in 2021 in which students earn a Ph.D. in oceanography and a master’s degree in marine affairs. Plankenhorn finished the master’s degree this May and is expected to earn a Ph.D. in biological oceanography in May 2026.

Connections with nature

For generations, Indigenous populations have handed down an understanding and respect for ecosystems, natural resources, and sustainable practices through direct observation and experience. While opinions and definitions vary, this transfer of practices and beliefs is known as Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.

“There are deep connections between the environment, people, and ourselves, as we navigate through life,” said Plankenhorn, a native of Belfair, Washington. “This influences how I approach my research. It’s difficult to examine one component of science without thinking of the sub-disciplines in that field, since they happen at the same time and impact one another.”

In the same vein, Plankenhorn contemplates how their research could affect the environment and the people living in it.

“If I wasn’t cognizant of how my findings are going to help people, it would be difficult to find purpose in my research,” said Plankenhorn. “I’m studying harmful algal blooms in Narragansett Bay. While trying to advance the understanding of how and why the dangerous compound domoic acid is triggered, I also want to understand who is most at risk from a harmful algal bloom, such as subsistence fishers, oyster farmers, and fishermen, and what research I can pursue to protect them from ingesting this compound.”

Financial support

Plankenhorn is a proud recipient of a fellowship through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowships Program. The program has covered their salary and tuition for the past two years and will do so for the following year. Recently, Plankenhorn was awarded a prestigious Switzer Environmental Fellowship. The $17,000 cash award will help pay for research expenses, such as the cost of molecular sequencing.

“This award will aid me in funding the last components of my dissertation along with ensuring that I can present my research at conferences,” said Plankenhorn. “Attending conferences are significant in my field of study and are one of the best ways to expand my network, learn about potential opportunities to collaborate on projects, and aid in finding post-doc positions.”

Part of the criteria for a Switzer Fellowship is demonstrating a commitment to advance social equity. Plankenhorn not only participated in URI Diversity and Inclusive Badge Program, but they facilitated workshops for the program. One workshop focused on Native American Data Sovereignty. A second one focused on the key components of writing a land acknowledgement statement.

“I became a workshop facilitator to introduce an Indigenous narrative that I felt needed to be represented more at URI,” said Plankenhorn. “It allowed students, staff, and faculty to better understand the ongoing struggles that Indigenous nations face today, along with proactive steps on how to support these communities.”

Inspiring others

After graduating, Plankenhorn would like to return home to help others by applying what they’ve learned at URI.

“It would be a dream come true to return home to Washington state and pursue harmful algal bloom research in the Puget Sound at the University of Washington,” said Plankenhorn. “My goal is to integrate modern environmental science with Indigenous knowledge systems, advocating for policies that reflect both ecological sustainability and cultural heritage. Through academia, I hope to mentor future Indigenous scholars and contribute to a future in which Indigenous leadership shapes global environmental efforts. This commitment is not just a professional goal—it reflects the values that define who I am and the impact I strive to make in the world.”

While Indigenous people have always had reverence for the environment, they have historically not been included in environmental policy decision making. Plankenhorn aims to change that.

“An important part of addressing the environmental issues we face today involves the inclusion of voices that are often dropped from the conversation, and in some cases, were never included, specifically when it comes to environmental decision-making policies and action plans,” said Plankenhorn. “Indigenous communities have witnessed this throughout the formation and expansion of the United States. I want future Indigenous scholars to feel empowered knowing their knowledge is essential to environmental solutions, not separate from them. I want to help reclaim space in academia and policy fields where our voices have long been excluded. The inclusion of Indigenous voices and voices from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities are needed more than ever.”