Student Vignettes

Juleika Vega

INSTITUTION, MAJOR, AND HOBBIES

University of Puerto Rico, Humacao - Coastal Marine Biology  - Make crafts, go to the beach, snorkeling and diving. 

CAREER INTERESTS

My professional interests lie in environmental education. I love being able to teach others what I learn every day and I am fascinated by the excitement that people, especially children, feel when they learn something new. I would love to form a group dedicated to bringing marine knowledge to the general public because I firmly believe that knowledge is the best tool to combat the current lack of environmental responsibility. It is not just about talking about how beautiful the organisms in the water are, but also about their importance to us and the natural balance. Many of these organisms are commercially important, but there are many others that enable the continued existence of those commercially important ones. It is a chain, and if one link is missing, it could cause an irreparable natural disorder. This is why I aspire to educate myself enough to be able to educate others. I aim to lead an educational and recreational center that includes tourism as well as a research center where investigations are conducted, and people can see the progress and learn about the research that provides new knowledge. 

WHY I CHOSE TO ATTEND THE USF MAKING WAVES

I chose to attend the USF Making Waves Program because it represents a unique opportunity to achieve my educational and professional aspirations. I am excited about the possibility of educating others on the vital importance of environmental stewardship and how protecting natural resources can benefit individuals and communities. My goal is to improve my skills in scientific communication to ensure that my research projects have an impact not only within the scientific community but also on the general public. I aspire to become a competent professional, capable of imparting knowledge about the marine field as an educator, mentor, or environmental guide. The USF Making Waves program is essential to achieving this goal due to its commitment to high-quality work, which will provide me with the necessary experience to perfect my skills as a scientific educator. Completing the Making Waves Program will significantly enhance my experience, both in the laboratory and in the field. Additionally, I could not pass up the opportunity to work with distinguished women in science like Pamela Hallock and Natalia López, who are my mentors.