As a child, I would always be taken on trips to zoos and aquariums, silently walking along exhibits and staring on in awe. I was, and still am, mesmerized by the diversity of life. There is no way to ignore the wildlife in Florida because it's always in your face: screeching birds, swarming insects, skittering squirrels, and lumbering crocodiles. In recent years, I've become more aware of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding pollution and habitat destruction, and my sadness has fueled me to pay special attention to animals that don't get the best reputation. I used to be terrified of insects and now they are among my favorite animals alongside sharks and deep sea creatures. Throughout my life, I hope to learn as much as I can about vulnerable species and spread awareness about the issues affecting them. One area of the biosphere I aim to focus on is marine conservation since oceans house many kinds of organisms and are a key part of biological processes such as the water and carbon cycles. I used to frequently visit the MOTE Marine Aquarium, so it would be an honor if I was able to work with that organization in any capacity. However, I'd like to make my impact mostly by educating other people about how the earth's biosphere is more important than many may be led to believe. I defend insects and bugs in general so much because I've learned that they're some of the most important organisms in an environment because they decompose dead organisms, which allows for their nutrients to move throughout an environment and continue the flow of energy in the food web. As much as insects are seen as disgusting pests, they play an incredibly important role. Another reason why I'd like to educate others is because of the prevalence of misinformation, which is most obvious when discussing sharks. Many people believe sharks to be violent and aggressive towards humans, and even wish for their extinction, but sharks are important for being keystone species and apex predators. My ultimate goal as a scientist is to teach people to respect every animal not only for what they do in their environment but also just for existing and maintaining biodiversity on earth. My major is general biology with a focus on animal science. Completing my degree will mean researching the biology and behavior of many different animals, as well as understanding the environments they inhabit and how humans impact them in a myriad of ways. With my education and career path, I will care for animals, raise awareness about them and their environments, and push organizations and governments to create policies that will better protect them.