Alicia graduated with a B.A. in Biology from Scripps College in Claremont, CA, and is currently working as a research assistant at the Cape Eleuthera Institute in The Bahamas. With a background as a PADI Divemaster and diverse marine research experience, she has recently focused her work on the invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish. Alicia studies the ecosystem effects and control methods for these invaders, disseminating relevant findings as a co-advisor for high school research classes and through community outreach events. Alicia plans to use this grant to pursue a technical diving certification, which will allow her to conduct graduate research on mesophotic lionfish populations.