Growing up in Mexico City, one of the biggest cities in the world, Daniela, 24, never imagined that the ocean would become such an important part of her life. During her childhood, she only visited the coast on holidays. but her true connection to the underwater world began at 13
Milja Westerberg, 25, from Helsinki Finland is a first-year Master’s student at the University of Helsinki, where she studies in the Environmental Change and Global Sustainability Master’s program with an emphasis on aquatic and marine sciences. She is a highly motivated and passionate marine scientist with a deep-rooted love and
Pablo Alfonso Fuenzalida Miralles, 24, was born in Chile and grew up for 7 years on farms in New Zealand before moving to the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Throughout his life, he has lived near pristine coastlines and spent a lot of time enjoying the natural world. He got the chance
Samuel Thomsen, 24, was born in Bristol, England. His formative years were enriched by a deep connection to the natural world. From nurturing corals in tropical aquariums to exploring coastal rock pools and indulging in pond-dipping adventures, Sam’s early fascination with the underwater realm laid the groundwork for his future
Ingrid Martinson, 22, was born and raised in landlocked Denver, Colorado where she began pursuing ocean advocacy and conservation. Growing up visiting her mother’s family in Croatia inspired her curiosity and connection with the marine environment. Simultaneously, learning about threats facing our ocean such as plastic pollution and climate change,
Sophie Kalkowski-Pope, 21, grew up in the beautiful coastal region of Cairns, Far North Queensland. Surrounded by reefs and rainforests, her childhood consisted of outdoor adventures and regular trips to the Great Barrier Reef on their family boat. As a child, Sophie took part in Scouts, and later obtained her
Lucy Penny, 23, from southwest England, is a nursing undergraduate with a keen interest in dive medicine, physiology and remote expeditions. Her lifelong love of the sea developed when diving and snorkeling in the UK’s seagrass beds and kelp forests. Exploring the coast in Indonesia and New Zealand only furthered
Genece Grisby was born in California and grew up close to the Pacific Ocean. She devoured books about sharks and ichthyosaurs and loved watching Animal Planet (but only the ocean-related programs). With frequent trips to the beach, marsh, and nearby ponds, the aquatic world was always at her fingertips. After
