My journey to becoming a marine biologist began as a child. I was fascinated by the ocean and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist so that I could learn and understand as much as possible about the underwater world. However, that dream was put on hold in grade school, where I felt like science was portrayed as a daunting, unachievable pursuit—something not to be understood but to be feared. It wasn’t until I was in college that I realized science wasn’t something to be scared of; I just needed to approach it from a different perspective. Since then, I have dedicated my academic career to gaining as much research experience as possible, both in the lab and in the field. Through these experiences, I’ve realized the intimidation or fear of science that I had as a child is not uncommon. It reflects a broader divide that exists between scientists and the general public; a divide that I would like to spend my career addressing.
Fast forward to today, and I am a graduate student at Georgia Southern University, working towards a master’s degree in biology under the advisement of Daniel F. Gleason. In 2023, I was awarded a Research Traineeship from Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to support my master’s thesis, which focuses on how climate change – specifically ocean acidification – will affect the corals off the coast of Georgia.
Alejandra Daniel performing research at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Photo by Chestina Craig.
While the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Research Traineeship has been instrumental in supporting my master’s thesis, it has also allowed me to tackle projects designed to bridge the gap between science and society. One of these projects involved creating a series of educational banners aimed at explaining ocean acidification, which is an incredibly complex topic. Designing these banners has allowed me to immerse myself in the process of translating complex scientific language into easily digestible material without compromising its integrity. I look forward to presenting these banners at educational outreach events, where I hope to gain further insight into how to make science more accessible to the public.
Over the past year, the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Research Traineeship has given me the opportunity to grow both as a scientist and as an individual. It has enabled me to conduct the research necessary for my master’s thesis and develop my skills as a science communicator – two opportunities that I might not have had otherwise. I look forward to continuing my master’s thesis and honing my science communication skills along the way.