CJ O’Brien ’19 Weddle

Outstanding Young Alumni

A Champion for Ocean Conservation

From marine research to national advocacy, the Cal Lutheran alumna is working to protect oceans and coastal communities from plastic pollution.

Each year, the Cal Lutheran Alumni Board of Directors recognizes achievements that have brought honor and distinction to the university. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award honors graduates of the last decade who have achieved distinction in their careers or humanitarian efforts dedicated to social reform. CJ (O’Brien ’19) Weddle is the recipient of the 2026 Cal Lutheran Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

A Lifelong Connection to the Ocean

For CJ O’Brien Weddle, the ocean has always been more than a place of recreation—it has been a source of curiosity, joy, and purpose. Growing up along Florida’s coastline, she spent countless hours fishing, searching for shells, and exploring the water’s edge. At just 12 years old, she earned her SCUBA certification. It sparked a fascination with the underwater world that would eventually shape her career.

Today, O’Brien Weddle has dedicated her career to protecting oceans and coastal communities from plastic pollution through research, advocacy, and policy.

“The ocean has always been a place of joy and inspiration for me,” said O’Brien Weddle. “That connection fuels my commitment to protecting it.”

Her work focuses on the growing crisis of plastic pollution, particularly the spread of microplastics—tiny fragments that accumulate in marine ecosystems and increasingly appear in the food chain.

“Plastic pollution is an incredibly complex issue,” she said. “It intersects with climate change, environmental justice, and public health, and the communities most affected are often the ones with the fewest resources to address it.”

Discovery at Cal Lutheran

O’Brien Weddle chose California Lutheran University for the opportunity to pursue both athletics and academics. A member of the Regals volleyball team, she experienced the discipline and teamwork that come with competing at the NCAA Division III level. As a freshman, she helped the Regals capture an NCAA Division III national championship—an experience that strengthened her leadership and time-management skills.

At the same time, O’Brien Weddle immersed herself in hands-on research through Cal Lutheran’s Biology and Marine Biology programs. As a Summer Swenson Research Fellow, she developed a project examining how microplastics affect mussels, conducting biochemical experiments that ultimately contributed to published research.

“That experience was pivotal,” said O’Brien Weddle. “It showed me how a research idea can grow into something that contributes to the broader scientific community.”

O’Brien Weddle founded the university’s SCUBA club and worked as a departmental assistant in the Biology Ocean’s Lab, deepening her connection to marine science. During her time at Cal Lutheran, she also met her husband, Sawyer Weddle ’18, another alum who shares her connection to the university.

A study abroad experience in Zanzibar, Tanzania, further broadened her perspective on environmental challenges.

“It helped me understand that ocean conservation isn’t just about science,” she said. “It’s also about people, tourism, historical context, and the livelihoods that depend on these ecosystems.”

Those experiences helped O’Brien Weddle see how science, community engagement, and advocacy can work together to address complex environmental challenges.

After graduating from Cal Lutheran, O’Brien Weddle continued her studies at Emory University, earning a master’s degree in international development with a focus on community-based advocacy.

Advocating for Change

While pursuing her graduate degree, O’Brien Weddle helped lead a campaign urging Emory University to sign the international Break Free From Plastic pledge, committing the institution to reducing single-use plastics on campus. By building grassroots support and engaging stakeholders across the university, the effort ultimately succeeded.

O’Brien Weddle later brought that same blend of research and advocacy to her role as Plastics Campaign Associate at Oceana, where she worked to reduce single-use plastic production and promote sustainable policy solutions.

For the past three years, she has served as Ocean Friendly Program Manager for the Surfrider Foundation, a national grassroots organization dedicated to protecting oceans, waves, and beaches for all people. In this role, Weddle partners with restaurants, hotels, and communities to reduce plastic waste and adopt more sustainable practices across coastal communities.

“What gives me hope are the people,” said O’Brien Weddle. “So many volunteers and advocates dedicate their time to protecting these special places. Being surrounded by that passion reminds me why this work matters.”

Receiving the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from her alma mater holds special meaning for O’Brien Weddle.

“Cal Lutheran shaped who I am—as a scientist, an advocate, and a person,” she said. “Those years helped form the path I’m on today, and I carry that experience with me in everything I do.”

As she continues her work to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems, O’Brien Weddle hopes to inspire others to care for the oceans that sustain communities around the world.