Billie is a Master’s student at the Coastal and Marine Institute of San Diego State University. She is broadly interested in kelp forest ecology and how environmental changes and anthropogenic impacts affect coastal marine ecosystems. Her thesis research focuses on how disturbance affects macroalgal community composition. She is conducting experimental field research in order to determine the mechanisms by which kelp species compete with one another in Macrocystis pyrifera-dominated, kelp forest ecosystems. In the future, she hopes to continue working on conservation-focused research projects that help create and influence environmental policies and support marine conservation plans.