I graduated with my masters from the Hughes Lab in 2022. I obtained my BS in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), where I did research on climate change effects on coralline algae from Sitka, Alaska. Prior to joining the Hughes Lab, I worked at the Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica. I worked closely with visitors and taught them about marine animals native to the Santa Monica Bay. My Master’s thesis focused on purple urchin feeding preference of bull kelp life history stages. I conducted SCUBA surveys and laboratory experiments to test temperature effects on bull kelp growth and purple urchin feeding preference. As a first-generation student, I hope to mentor other students with a passion for marine ecology and engage with the Sonoma County community. Now I work with the Greater Farallones Association as a Kelp Restoration Specialist in partnership with Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.