After moving from New York to Miami, Mia’s fascination with the underwater world grew from playing “Mermaids” to leading conservation research. She is a passionate ecologist and educator, hoping to increase research on marine habitat use and engage underrepresented community members in experiential learning opportunities. Beyond academics, Mia enjoys fishing, hiking, and eating coconut ice cream, which often ties into her passion for the great outdoors. She dedicates much of her time to mentorship and living sustainably, furthering her commitment to making a meaningful impact in her field. As a recipient of a WDHOF grant, Mia is excited to continue her journey toward dive professionalism. She is incredibly grateful for this opportunity and looks forward to using her new dive skills to make a lasting difference in her field.