Alexis became passionate about snorkeling and diving on coral reefs since she learned how to swim. She applied her passion for the ocean to her academics, graduating from the University of Miami with dual degrees in Marine Science and Biology and minors in Marine Policy and Chemistry. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student at Florida Atlantic University-Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute where she is characterizing the genetic structure and population connectivity of mesophotic and shallow coral communities in Cuba. She plans to finish her technical diving training and aspires to have a career in a government organization conducting applied coral reef research.