I first fell in love with the ocean at three years old when my dad bought our family’s first fish tank. I still remember staying up all night watching its construction, fascinated by the new creatures sharing my home. From then on, I grew up surrounded by the ocean. The fish tank in my living room, summers in the Outer Banks, and ten years in Virginia Beach taught me about marine ecology, climate change, and, above all, respect for nature. I became a certified diver at 12 years old, and I was quickly hooked. I dove as much as possible and went on to earn my Divemaster certification in my second year of college. Through diving, I deepened my understanding of the ocean and developed a fascination with tropical ecosystems.

In college, I continued my dedication to the ocean, spending my time at the University of Virginia studying seagrass ecology and oyster population demographics in the Virginia Coast Reserve. While I was passionate about my work, I still wanted to study the tropics, which led me to a summer session at SFS TCI. My time here was the happiest and most enriching time of my life, and I am so excited to be returning to contribute to the mission of SFS by supporting the important scientific work of the Center and providing immersive experiences to students. While not on the clock, you can probably find me getting even more time in the water or curled up with a cozy game!