Dr. Jesse D. M. Schwartz is the Chief Science Officer of the ATA 202 Foundation, where he leads the organization’s scientific programming, environmental compliance, and public education initiatives aboard the historic Coast Guard Cutter Comanche. A marine biologist, educator, and applied conservation scientist, Dr. Schwartz brings more than two decades of experience in fisheries research, ecological restoration, and science communication. Before joining the Foundation, Dr. Schwartz served in senior technical and scientific leadership roles across tribal, nonprofit, and academic institutions, including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Green Anchors, and Boston University. His research has spanned continents—from studying the impacts of invasive species in East Africa’s Great Lakes to modeling Chinook salmon habitat in the Pacific Northwest. He currently focuses on applying artificial intelligence to improve the fitness of hatchery-reared fish in the wild, pioneering novel strategies that integrate conservation genetics and selective breeding.

Dr. Schwartz is a skilled public science educator, with over 20 years of college teaching experience at institutions such as the University of Washington Tacoma, Green River College, and Lewis & Clark College. He is passionate about connecting people to the science and stories of the Salish Sea. At ATA 202, he curates onboard science experiences, leads volunteer-based ecological monitoring projects—including water quality and eDNA sampling—and ensures that all operations align with current scientific best practices and regulatory standards.

Dr. Schwartz holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Boston University, an M.S. in Environmental Biology from Antioch University, and a B.A. in Environmental Biology from SUNY New Paltz. He lives in Kenmore, Washington, and is committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists, stewards, and shipmates through immersive, place-based learning on the waters of Puget Sound.