Aleyna Loughran-Pierce

Location :	Chesapeake Bay Program Offices
Position :	Environmental Management Staffer - Thriving Habitat, Fisheries, and Wildlife Goal Team
Email :	loughranpierce.aleyna@epa.gov
Bio :	Aleyna Loughran-Pierce joined the Chesapeake Research Consortium in 2026 as an Environmental Management Staffer to the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Thriving Habitat, Fisheries & Wildlife Goal Team. As a staffer, Aleyna will help support the Freshwater Mussels Workgroup, the SAV Workgroup, and the Wetlands Workgroup. Aleyna graduated from the University of Virginia in 2025 with a B.S. in Environmental Science, B.A. in Astronomy, and minor in Art History. She spent her summers assisting with coastal ecological research on both U.S. coasts, where she developed an interest in the spatial ecology of kelp forests and saltmarshes. Prior to joining the CRC, Aleyna served as a Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps (CCCC) member with the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center (EESC), focusing on waterbird research in the Chesapeake Bay. In her free time, Aleyna enjoys writing, drawing, and roller skating, as well as being a tea enthusiast. She also loves to travel and learn about local histories. While she’s always happy to visit her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, Aleyna has grown to love the Chesapeake Bay.