Growing up in Northern California, I spent most of my childhood at the beach or at the aquarium. That has ingrained a deep love for the ocean and its inhabitants. I decided to pursue a degree in Marine Biology because it would allow me to constantly learn more about the organisms in the ocean.
Conservation is something close to my heart because the animals in the ocean are deeply fascinating and unique and in order to maintain the delicate balance on Earth, we need these animals to play their role. I find monk seals so interesting because there is nothing else like them in the world and they are only found here in Hawaii. It is truly special to see them lounging at the beach and know that they are only found here.