Esther learned to SCUBA dive as an undergraduate biology student where her interests in marine ecology and conservation were reinforced through her exposure to a diversity of marine environments from kelp forests in southern California to coral reefs in Australia. Esther is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science where she studies reef fish ecology. Her research focuses on spatial variability in fish demography, the processes that affect survival of coral reef organisms and the role of deep and mesophotic (> 30 m) coral reefs as refugia to help predict coral reef resilience. Ultimately, she hopes that her research will promote awareness about ocean conservation and help to protect and preserve degraded coral reef ecosystems.