Appreciation for an interdisciplinary approach

Gail Fricano ‘01 credits her career in environmental consulting to a W&M education and the VIMS alumni network

Gail Fricano has built a remarkable career in environmental consulting, specializing in habitat restoration, natural resource damage assessment, site remediation and oil spill investigations. It’s dynamic work she enjoys, and which was made possible by an education path that led through William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS, where Fricano earned an M.S. under advisor Kenneth Moore. The training and instruction she received on-campus, and the networking she discovered off-campus, underscore the extensive value of attending the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS. 

An Unlikely Recommendation 

Fricano’s decision to attend the Batten School & VIMS started with a recommendation from an unexpected source: a colleague who had recently graduated from a different marine science program. Despite attending a peer graduate school, this colleague was so impressed with the research and outcomes being produced at the Batten School & VIMS that she advised Fricano to apply to the W&M graduate school. “She gave me advice during my search and highly recommended VIMS due to its very strong reputation,” Fricano said. 

The Batten School & VIMS’ approach to science also suited Fricano’s own priorities and goals. “Its focus on applied science and environmental management aligned with my interests,” she said, while also noting she was offered a generous financial package. With academic renown, aligned values and financial assistance, Fricano had a clear top choice when selecting her graduate program. 

A Comprehensive W&M Education 

The academic experience at the Batten School & VIMS was both rigorous and rewarding for Fricano, whose primary field of study was submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Her master’s thesis focused on the interactive effects of light and salinity on wild celery health. “The project appealed to me because of its habitat restoration implications,” she explained. Yet Fricano also appreciated the chance to expand her studies beyond SAV, including an especially memorable class called “Ideas on Nature,” a discussion class taught by Hugh Ducklow and Emmett Duffy which explored anthropological and historical perspectives, among others. “It was an interesting complement to my strictly science classes,” she recalled. 

Fricano frequently found herself on the Williamsburg campus as well, for both academic and extracurricular pursuits. “I really enjoyed taking environmental law at the William & Mary law school,” she said. “I also took a [geographic information systems] class on the main campus back when not many people were using the tool.” In addition to these unique educational opportunities, Fricano enjoyed social connections across academic schools and departments. “I joined the William & Mary club swim team,” she said, “which was a great way to meet all kinds of people, including graduate students from other programs and undergraduates, too.” 

Through it all, Fricano was supported by dedicated faculty and encouraging classmates. “Students were very collaborative and frequently studied together. Professors and staff were always accessible and happy to help,” she said. Fricano is particularly effusive about the mentorship she received throughout her graduate studies. “I couldn’t have asked for a better advisor than Ken Moore,” she said. “He gave me a lot of individual attention and also kept me laughing through stressful times.” Fricano specifically recalls Moore’s gracious reaction when she accidentally broke an expensive piece of equipment. “I will forever be grateful that he took it in stride," she said. 

A Supportive VIMS Alumni Network 

Fricano knew that alumni of the Batten School & VIMS went on to diverse and exciting careers throughout academic, government, nonprofit and private sectors. However, she was still surprised at just how many fellow graduates she continued to meet. In fact, Fricano found her very first post-graduate job, an internship at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “through a VIMS connection at [a Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) conference], where I was presenting my master’s research.” 

When she arrived at NOAA, Fricano learned her supervisor was also a fellow alum. Then, when she got her next job at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, her supervisor was another graduate of the Batten School & VIMS. “Before I graduated, I didn’t know how strong the VIMS network was outside of the mid-Atlantic,” Fricano said, “but I was very happy to discover that it is very strong in the Northeast and beyond, as well.” 

A Strong Alma Mater Connection  

Today, Fricano is a partner at a mid-sized environmental consulting firm, Industrial Economics, Inc., where she works mostly with federal agencies and indigenous tribes. “I love the fast-paced and exciting nature of consulting,” she said, “and the fact that I am constantly learning new skills and meeting new people.” 

Fricano credits much of her professional success to her time at the Batten School & VIMS, where she gained “the confidence and skills to dig deep into a topic and become a bit of an expert” and developed her “scientific writing, statistics and critical thinking.” As a consultant who works across a broad range of topics, Fricano said, “VIMS’ interdisciplinary approach—various marine science disciplines and also policy, law and other related fields—has served me well.” 

With such a strong appreciation for the Batten School & VIMS, it’s no shock that Fricano remains connected to the community. “I’ve attended several VIMS alumni events associated with CERF conferences, most memorably in 2007 when I wore my two-month-old daughter in a Bjorn,” she said, “and most recently in 2023.” When her former advisor, Kenneth Moore, retired several years ago, an appreciative Fricano made sure she was in attendance at the retirement party to celebrate his career and mentorship. 

Looking back, Fricano sees the benefits of leveraging the unique academic and networking opportunities at the Batten School & VIMS and encourages current students to do the same. “Take advantage of the accessibility of VIMS professors and build strong relationships with them. Look for opportunities to build your statistics and quantitative skills.”

To graduating students embarking on their own careers, she reemphasizes the special network of Batten School & VIMS alumni. “Don’t hesitate to reach out to VIMS alums for career advice; people tend to love to give advice. Stay connected with your classmates, as you never know what future collaborations may result.”

Prospective Students

William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS are among the nation's largest and most prestigious centers for coastal and marine research and education. We are committed to building a talented, diverse and inclusive community of marine science leaders who have the academic and professional skills necessary to meet the present and future needs of science and society.