Danielle is a Ph.D. candidate in Biology at the University of Victoria in Canada. Using extensive SCUBA field surveys in Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Republic of Kiribati, her research is focused on ways to elucidate the effects of climate change and other human stressors on coral reef communities. This scholarship will support Danielle in travel to the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology to conduct genetic analyses of her samples, with the goal of providing a clearer picture of coral reef community dynamics in order to inform coral reef management at a global scale. In support of that goal, she is developing a series of live webcasts to share the wonder of the ocean and the opportunities that are available in underwater science with high school students who may not experience it otherwise, and to educate the public about the importance of healthy reefs.

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