Student Vignettes

Xiomara Cruz De León

Institution, Major, and Hobbies

Hi, I’m Xiomara Cruz De León, a rising third-year student at the University of Puerto Rico Humacao Campus, where I’m majoring in Wildlife Management in the Biology Department. My hobbies include reading, volunteer work, listening to music and enjoying time outdoors. 

Career Interests

I’m deeply interested in environmental conservation, this curiosity has led me to pursue a career in ecology. While I’m still exploring different areas within ecology, I’m particularly interested in understanding the impact of climate and environmental changes on our ecosystems, focusing on their restoration and protection.  

Why I Chose to Attend the USF Making Waves

I chose the REU Make Waves program because it's a fantastic opportunity to dive into marine science research and get hands-on experience. I'm really excited about how terrestrial and marine ecosystems connect, this internship is a great chance for me to dive into the world of marine life and see how it all fits together with what I'm learning about ecology. I want to get hands-on experience, learn more about conserving marine ecosystems, and understand how human actions affect these systems. Participating in this program will help me build the skills I need for a future in environmental conservation.