I grew up next to the beach on Long Island, New York, and had a love for the ocean from a young age. After high school, I went to South Carolina to earn a dual BS in Biological Sciences and Environmental and Natural Resources from Clemson University. There, I was heavily involved in a research lab, Conservation of Marine Resources, where I studied marine debris and gained field experience collecting data on the Florida Keys coral reefs over the summer. This led to my honors Thesis studying derelict lobster traps. I spent more time in the Keys the summer before my senior year, when I was a Marine Conservation Intern at Reef Environmental Education Foundation. Here, I grew a stronger interest in the education side of marine science. After graduating from Clemson, I completed my PADI Divemaster training with Marine Conservation Philippines, and then in the fall, I was the Marine Education Intern at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute in Little Cayman. It has been so amazing to gain experience with these different organizations and see ecosystems across the globe, and I’m excited to take all I’ve learned to South Caicos. In my free time, I enjoy running or reading (preferably on the beach!).