Daniella Casanova

About

I am an avid nature-lover of both, abiotic and biotic parts of the ecosystem. I was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in Tampa, Florida. Growing up in Tampa, I spent countless afternoons exploring local parks like Lettuce Lake Park and Hillsborough River State Park, where my love for Florida's wetlands blossomed. The city's diverse wildlife sparked my curiosity, whether it was spotting a gopher tortoise on a nature trail or observing an egret wading through the marshes. Tampa's close-knit community and abundance of outdoor spaces provided endless opportunities to connect with nature and develop a deep appreciation for Florida's ecosystems. These formative experiences shaped my academic pursuits and instilled a lifelong passion for preserving the environment. My academic interests are environment, education, and nature. As of now, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science & Policy from the University of South Florida. I co-founded the Entomology Society at USF (ESSF) as an non-profit organization for nature enthusiasts to network. During my undergraduate experience, the Entomology Society at USF iNaturalist Project was created for entomology members to become citizen scientists. I am interested on pursuing graduate school to bridge the gap between outdoor education with environmental studies. Beyond the classroom, I enjoy spending my time on the digital landscape of virtual reality or watching true crime and wildlife documentaries. I have a passion for embroidery and knitting art that keeps my hands busy by the side. You would often find me at the botanical gardens, catching bugs to identify.