Karin Otsuka Trudo is the program coordinator for Ocean Nexus, working closely with the Director and program officers to ensure smooth operations of both short-term projects and long-term program planning. She is also one of the first contacts for new fellows and the point person for receiving logistical or administrative support, ensuring that everyone in the network can engage in their best capacity with the resources they need. Karin earned her Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington (UW) School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. Her thesis focused on plastic pollution in the context of island communities, especially as issues are compounded by colonial legacies and ongoing settler colonialism that manifest in various social, economic, and political aspects. She also holds a BA in Environmental Studies from the UW Program on the Environment.

Karin has been enjoying going on walks/doing exercises with her dogs and seeing the bond and their trust in her grow. She also loves drawing, trying new trails, discovering new places to eat at with her husband, and playing games (board games + PC).