Education & Training

Below the Surface:

A closer look at my experiences in marine science.

Liam at Jones Beach State Park | Horseshoe crab monitoring.

James Joseph Fishing

Deckhand | Summer 2026

Worked as a deckhand aboard the James Joseph, gaining experience with boat operations, fishing equipment, and working as part of a crew. Developed maritime skills and learned about the teamwork and responsibilities involved with working on the water.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

DNA Barcoding Camp | 2023

Completed training in DNA barcoding, including extracting DNA samples, analyzing DNA sequences, and using web based bioinformatics tools to identify species and build phylogenetic trees.

University of Alaska Fairbanks / edX

Professional Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 2026

Completed a three-course professional certificate covering GIS Foundations, 3D GIS, and GIS Image Analysis. Developed skills using ArcGIS Pro software to work with geographic data.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Getting Involved with Climate Change: Using Psychology to Make a Difference | 2025

Completed a course exploring how psychological science can help address climate change, including the role of human behavior and the ways psychology can contribute.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate | 2026

Earned FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification. Qualified to operate small unmanned aircraft systems under FAA regulations. Developed skills in aviation safety, airspace regulations, weather, and flight operations.

Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

Open Water Diver Certification | In Progress

Completed the required confined water training and preparing to complete the remaining open water certification dives during an upcoming trip. Pursuing scuba certification to expand opportunities for hands on marine science fieldwork.

MENTORSHIP

Christopher Hoppner, MAT

Marine Science Educator & Mentor | 2020–Present

I've been meeting with Christopher Hoppner pretty much every week since I was in fifth grade. We first started meeting during the COVID pandemic because I wanted to learn more about sharks and marine science and somehow those meetings have continued for more than six years.

Over the years, we've explored all kinds of marine science topics, discussed current events, and worked through scientific research papers that I definitely wouldn't have understood on my own. We've also worked on research projects together. He taught me how to collect water samples from different beaches and test them for dissolved oxygen and we've also used satellite shark tagging data to study shark movements and behavior.

One of the things I've always appreciated about him is that he took my interest seriously even when I was just a fifth grader with a million questions about sharks. He never made me feel like I was too young to learn something complicated and he's always encouraged me to keep asking questions and taught me how to look for the answers.

I'm incredibly grateful for all the time he's spent teaching me, but I’m even more grateful that I've had someone who has believed in my interests and encouraged me for so many years.

I honestly owe so much of what I know to him.