Jennifer’s goal to become a marine biologist working to preserve the environment, conduct research, and develop sustainable management programs is rooted in her family’s long history in Baja California, Mexico. Being a southern California native and of Yaqui ancestry, it is not surprising that from a tender age Jennifer acquired a deep sense of respect and appreciation for the ocean that later led to a love for the sciences.
As a first-generation college student in her family, Jennifer has honored the hard work and sacrifices of her parents that have compelled her to take responsibility in materializing her
educational dreams and in paving the way for those in her family who are to follow. Being
bilingual, with a natural tendency to teach and experience in translating science for a variety of audiences, Jennifer is eager to contribute to critical scientific and social endeavors as a result of her combined experiences that have taught her how committed research and teaching can transform lives and affect environmental issues within her lifetime.
The numerous awards that Jennifer has received in these early stages of her professional career not only exemplify her commitment to participate in meaningful research but they also serve as evidence of her fervent devotion to contribute towards changes within both her immediate and future surroundings. Realizing that her current research is solely the beginning, or as she likes to call it, the “first waves” of her educational endeavors and achievements, she is in eager
expectation for the arrival of the next “big wave” that will continue to give form to the major
contributions she will make in the near future.
