Kara is currently finishing her Master’s degree in Marine Ecology from the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science, where she is using scuba to collect data in order to study the benthic communities on the West Florida Shelf. While conducting her research, Kara has had the opportunity to supervise and train a number of young divers, teaching them scientific diving techniques and dive safety. With this award, Kara intends to attain her instructor certification to learn additional skills in an effort to be the best possible mentor to young science divers.