Chloe Dannenfelser joins Texas Sea Grant as the organization’s new Healthy Coastal Ecosystems Fellow
As Texas Sea Grant continues expanding its work in this area, the fellowship supports the development of new programs and collaborative coastal initiatives.
Chloe Dannenfelser
In this role, Dannenfelser works with the extension team to support the programmatic development of Texas Sea Grant’s Healthy Coastal Ecosystems (HCE) Focus Area. The program focuses on maintaining and restoring the health of coastal ecosystems, which are essential for biodiversity, water quality and the economic vitality of the Texas coast. As Texas Sea Grant continues expanding its work in this area, the fellowship supports the development of new programs and collaborative coastal initiatives.
Dannenfelser first joined Texas Sea Grant in 2019 as a student aquarium technician and later returned in 2020 as a Program Assistant. During this time, she also worked as a research assistant studying sea turtle movement in Matagorda Bay.
Prior to returning to Texas Sea Grant, Dannenfelser served as the Texas Coastal Outreach Coordinator for the American Bird Conservancy’s Stopping Plastics Along Shorelines (SPLASh) program. In that role, she organized beach and bayou cleanups, collaborated with regional organizations and stakeholders, and delivered educational presentations focused on Texas coastal ecosystems, plastic pollution and sustainable environmental solutions.
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Texas A&M University, Dannenfelser conducts research in Dr. Jacquelyn Grace’s lab studying ecotoxicology and the effects of anthropogenic stressors on wild coastal and wetland birds.
Dannenfelser earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2020 and was recognized as a James G. Teer Conservation Leadership Institute Fellow from 2023–2024.
Outside of work and research, Dannenfelser enjoys spending time outdoors and especially likes fishing, birding and hiking with her dog.
“I’m thrilled to be back at Texas Sea Grant contributing to the growth of the Healthy Coastal Ecosystems focus area and supporting work that strengthens Texas coastlines for the people and wildlife that depend on them,” Dannenfelser said.
About Texas Sea Grant
Texas Sea Grant is a unique partnership that unites the resources of the federal government, the State of Texas and universities across the state to create knowledge, tools, products and services that benefit the economy, the environment and the citizens of Texas. It is administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is one of 34 university-based Sea Grant Programs around the country. Texas Sea Grant is a non-academic research center at Texas A&M University. The program’s mission is to improve the understanding, wise use and stewardship of Texas coastal and marine resources.
