Thanks for visiting!
A little bit about my background in science:
I did two majors and two minors in undergrad. Marine science and biology, and chemistry and psychology, respectively. I studied a lot!
I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in 2017. I completed an honors thesis on early life history of cephalopods, which I was able to accomplish through an internship at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
After I graduated I was hired by NOAA and spent about two months at sea in the Gulf of Mexico. Most of my time during this year of research was focused on Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae. I participated primarily in otolith studies.
I am now in the second year of my PhD. I am in an isotope biogeochemistry lab and my research focus is on stable isotopes as natural tags as applied to fish. My species of interest include highly migratory marine animals.
Fast forward to college. I went to the University of Miami as part of the Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science. I completed a double major of biology and marine science and a double minor of chemistry and psychology with a general studies cognate in Spanish. Probably clear at this point, but I was a HugeNerd(TM). There were a couple semesters where I had to get special permission from the Dean to take the amount of credits I wanted t
My motivations for creating this platform aren’t necessarily to promote my research – I can disseminate my research through Google Scholar or Research Gate. I do enjoy sharing what I learn, so marine science will definitely be a topic on here, but through my experience in research I’ve become interested in sustainability.
At first I was only interested in reducing my plastic footprint. I began making efforts to minimize my plastic use after spending time at sea with NOAA. During the research cruises I participated in, I saw a lot of plastic pollution much further offshore than I was comfortable with. In the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, I saw a full styrofoam cooler float by. Plastic cutlery. Red solo cups. Microplastics in our samples. Not cool. I didn’t want to be a part of the problem.
Since then I’ve taken on a more holistic view of sustainability. Plastic pollution isn’t the only problem we face, so I transition my “plastic-free” lifestyle to a “zero waste” lifestyle and finally to a “sustainable” lifestyle.
I started this platform in part to hold myself accountable to the changes I wanted to make, and had hoped that if I shared what worked for me, it may help others along the way. I also felt it was important for me to share what I know about science to combat some of the misinformation that is widespread on social media. I am hoping to strengthen the dialogue between scientists and non-scientists, and also promote some earth-friendly living along the way.
A little about me beyond science and sustainability goals: I currently live in the Boston area, I have a cat and two guinea pigs, I watch way too much trash tv, I love plants, my favorite food is pasta, and I’m a big Harry Potter fan.