As an undergraduate, I researched coral ecology, specifically focusing on changes pre- and post-bleaching events with Dr. Lorenz Hauser and Dr. Eleni Petrou. During this project, I applied the scientific method to conduct in-depth analyses of massive sets of data, write proposals, and collaborate with professional researchers, all while balancing school work with research. I presented my capstone project at the UW Undergraduate Research Symposium and at the School of Aquatics and Fisheries Sciences Capstone Symposium. By working with Dr. Petrou, I experienced what research is like as an aquatic ecologist, and knew that I wanted to combine ecology and genetics in my research going forward.