Coming to a land locked state to study marine biology, I wasn’t sure what opportunities would lay ahead for me. The moment I learned of a marine invertebrate lab in the EBIO department, I knew I had to find a way to join. At first, I had no idea how they were doing marine biology from Colorado, I just knew I was eager to learn. As soon as I discovered there were jellyfish on campus being used for marine research, I was set on becoming a part of that team. Through this, I have been able to research how climate change, specifically warming ocean temperatures, is impacting development and symbiosis in marine communities through the upside-down jellyfish and algae symbiosis. By investigating how climate change is impacting this specific system, we can make inferences as to how development and symbiosis may change in marine ecosystems overall in the coming years as our oceans warm. I hope to be able to continue marine research, perhaps with more field components, as I navigate life outside of CU
