As a Florida native, I have always felt deeply connected to tropical and coastal ecosystems. After completing my undergraduate studies in Miami, I moved to the Virgin Islands in 2015 to pursue a master's at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). During my time there, I conducted extensive benthic surveys, ran in situ experiments, learned the fundamentals of statistics and programming, and began experimenting with new technologies, including 3D photogrammetry, to enhance data collection.
In 2017, Category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria hit, chasing me out of the Virgin Islands. I completed my masters remotely, and relocated in 2018 to North Carolina to pursue a PhD at UNC Wilmington, where I focused on sponge-coral interactions, carbon cycling, and the broader roles of sponges in reef ecosystems. This work underscored the complexity of these environments and fueled my passion for exploring innovative ways to understand and preserve them.
I returned to the Virgin Islands in 2023 as a postdoc, expanding my research to encompass the entire reef system. I am analyzing long-term monitoring datasets to understand what makes some reefs more resilient and investigating low-coral reefs to explore their potential to support biodiversity in a "worst-case scenario."
Driven by successful applications of technology during my graduate studies, I am incorporating robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation techniques to improve reef monitoring. This is motivated by a sincere belief that we must innovate to effectively study these rapidly degrading systems.
Education is another crucial aspect of my work. I enjoy teaching coding at all levels, from youth to graduate students. I am excited to leverage new technology and unconventional approaches to advance coral reef research and conservation while mentoring the next generation of marine biologists.
In 2017, Category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria hit, chasing me out of the Virgin Islands. I completed my masters remotely, and relocated in 2018 to North Carolina to pursue a PhD at UNC Wilmington, where I focused on sponge-coral interactions, carbon cycling, and the broader roles of sponges in reef ecosystems. This work underscored the complexity of these environments and fueled my passion for exploring innovative ways to understand and preserve them.
I returned to the Virgin Islands in 2023 as a postdoc, expanding my research to encompass the entire reef system. I am analyzing long-term monitoring datasets to understand what makes some reefs more resilient and investigating low-coral reefs to explore their potential to support biodiversity in a "worst-case scenario."
Driven by successful applications of technology during my graduate studies, I am incorporating robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation techniques to improve reef monitoring. This is motivated by a sincere belief that we must innovate to effectively study these rapidly degrading systems.
Education is another crucial aspect of my work. I enjoy teaching coding at all levels, from youth to graduate students. I am excited to leverage new technology and unconventional approaches to advance coral reef research and conservation while mentoring the next generation of marine biologists.
last updated 26 Dec 2024
