Courtney Nicole Klepac is a Ph.D. student in Ecological Sciences at Old Dominion University. Her research focuses on assessing enhanced bleaching resilience of particular coral populations in American Samoa. She is incorporating field ecology alongside laboratory heat stress experiments to elucidate the potential for coral species survival under future climate warming scenarios, a critical aspect of reef conservation and management. Having previous exposure to non-profit eco-tourism, her future career goals are to start an eco-tourism company intended to combine science, underwater filmography, and physical activity to educate and spread awareness of the benefits of coral reefs, all while holding a coral research position for a governmental/private organization.