What was your personal journey into marine biology?

The ocean has always called to me. As a child, I spent my days sailing, on powerboats, collecting shells along the shore. By the time I was 15, I had earned my boating license. But science? That was never in my plans. It was my worst subject, something I had no interest in. Photography was my main hobby growing up. At 18, I began diving, and during college, I had the opportunity to visit Guam a few times while my father was stationed there. Blending my love for the ocean with photography, underwater photography became my passion. But I was already committed to a finance degree, and marine science never crossed my mind as a career.

After college, I moved to Florida to be with my husband, and just two months later, the world shut down due to COVID. Entry level jobs were nonexistent, so I turned to volunteer work while earning my dive master and scuba instructor certifications. Through that, I became involved in sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation. A friend who ran the center saw potential in me, more than I saw in myself, and practically forced me to apply to graduate school. That single push changed everything.

I initially pursued shark physiology but changed labs that led me to marine molecular biology. It was a field I knew little about, and imposter syndrome hit me hard. I constantly doubted myself, feeling like I didn’t belong. I did really well in every class and with every bit of encouragement from respected scientists, my confidence grew. Over time, I stopped questioning if I was meant to be here, I knew I was. What started as a love for the ocean evolved into a career I never expected but now couldn’t imagine living without.

Do you see yourself pursuing a PhD.?

Absolutely! At first, I wasn’t sure, but I’ve realized that to achieve the career I want, it’s essential. I plan to pursue my PhD. overseas, most likely in Europe. I have ideas about who’s lab I would like to work in, but I am still open to any opportunities.

How has motherhood impacted your career ambitions?

For the longest time, I wasn’t sure if parenthood was in the cards for me. I went through the initial wave of wanting a baby right after the wedding, but deep down, I knew we weren’t ready, despite my mind playing tricks on me. I started grad school then, I found out I was pregnant. One baby? No problem. We had this! But at 10 weeks seeing twins on the ultrasound changed everything. For a moment, I was convinced my career was over, that I’d be bound to the home, a full-time mother and homemaker.

That mindset didn’t last long. We had an incredible support system from the university, to our family, and even the church up the road. But most importantly, my husband’s support helped me finish my thesis and earn my master’s degree. It wasn’t easy, but we made it. Now, as I step into a new career, I’m learning how to balance both worlds, motherhood and my professional ambitions. It’s a challenge, but I’m determined to navigate.

Do you prefer scuba diving or freediving?

If I had to choose, I’d go with freediving. It requires minimal gear, just my fins, mask, and weight belt. There’s a certain freedom in slipping into the water without the extra equipment. Scuba diving also requires extensive gear check and going through a checklist in my head. That said, I love scuba diving for the extended bottom time and the ability to explore deeper depths comfortably. If I’m planning a deep dive or need more time to observe marine life, scuba is my go-to. But for pure connection with the ocean, nothing beats the simplicity of freediving.

Quote for this post:

“Tomorrow I’ll start living,’ you say, Postumus: always tomorrow: Tell me, the ‘tomorrow,’ Postumus, when’s it coming? How far off is that ‘tomorrow?” – Marcus Valerius Martialis, Epigrams