Fiji is famous for its crystal clear waters and idyllic beaches — but it is also home to vital coral reef research. Amelia Rastley ’25 spent her summer along the coast of Fiji conducting research on coral reefs with the Sea Education Association (SEA).
The global interdisciplinary research group offers students the chance to explore maritime environments and engage in scientific inquiry. Amelia supported a variety of reef-preservation efforts, but her primary focus was on how the ocean floor affects the variety of organisms and surfaces covering coral reefs. She collected data for SEA by snorkeling on reefs of varying protection statuses, including locally managed marine areas, village fishing grounds, and recreational areas. Before any research was conducted, the organization asked permission from the nearby villages. Villages that granted permission were eager to learn from SEA’s findings, hoping to understand more about their reefs to ensure food security.
Amelia noted how locals were receptive to the data and willing to make changes to their lifestyles to save their reefs. “Being able to give back the knowledge we cultivated was the most rewarding part of the trip,” she said.
Amelia built close connections by engaging with locals and through her summer residence in the village of Naiseuseu on Beqa Island. She was particularly inspired by those who started grassroots organizations and are now having a significant impact on their communities. She says seeing locals make a difference with their work inspired her to do the same in the future.
As a double major in environmental geology and peace and conflict studies, Amelia is passionate about sustainability and plans to use this summer research to support her senior thesis. After graduating from Colgate, Amelia plans to combine her interests in environment, advocacy, and law to pursue a career that supports environmental refugees around the globe.
Colgate and its generous alumni and parent donors offer grants to support students’ living costs and supplemental expenses to pursue unpaid and underpaid summer experiences. Learn more about Colgate Summer Funding.