Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, California, Julia has spent her life immersed in the ocean. An ocean lifeguard for California State Parks since the age of 16, surfer, diver, and junior lifeguards instructor, Julia spends much of her time working and playing in the ocean. Her deep respect and appreciation for the marine environment ultimately led her to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Environmental Writing & Media. She leaves this spring for the University of Brisbane, where she will study and mitigate the effects of climate change in the Solomon Islands. Julia plans to spread her intense passion and joy for our world’s oceans through written communication, journalism, and spreading relentless enthusiasm.