I first saw a coral reef the summer I turned 18. I vividly remember floating above the reef in pure awe as I experienced a new world. Little did I know that 5 years later I would be pursuing my degree in marine biology with a focus on coral research. It has taken considerable work and sacrifice to follow the pull I feel towards a career in coral reef restoration. The biggest has been moving from Utah to Hawaiʻi to study at a university with the major and resources needed. By leaving Utah I was also leaving a steady job, promising opportunities for a healthcare career, and increased financial security. I made the move here to Oʻahu despite never having been to Hawaiʻi, knowing nobody here, and having a full awareness that I would have to work harder and push myself in new ways. While it was intimidating to make that leap I had confidence in my drive to pursue my passion in marine biology. Throughout my time studying here my dedication to coral research has increased alongside my motivation to make a difference. As a student at an international school, I often see and hear about the effects of flooding in coastal communities. The island of Oʻahu has constantly changing coastlines that locals are continually adjusting to; Flooding causes damage to homes with every storm due to rising tides and changing waterways. Oʻahu is not unique to these challenges. I have heard accounts from many of my close friends from the Philippines and Indonesia who have been directly affected by coastal flooding that has destroyed their communities, immensely impacting their lives. An even greater threat that some of my classmates face is the prediction that their home country of Kiribati will be completely submerged in the Pacific Ocean before the end of the century. Challenges such as these are increasing in prevalence as climate change continues. In order to protect ourselves from the effects of climate change we must find ways to live with the environment as our foundation rather than seeing it as a force to fight against. The natural world has means by which to support itself, one of those means is coral reefs. Stony coral is a habitat-building animal that creates structures that support and protect entire ecosystems. We, as humans, depend on those ecosystems for food sources for billions of people, the production of over 50 percent of the world's oxygen, and protection for coastal communities, in which nearly half of the global population live. The calcium carbonate skeletons created by stony coral are powerful barriers against storm surges and rising tides lessening the effects of erosion and flooding. Billions of dollars are saved each year in flood recovery expenses thanks to coral reefs arguably making them the most effective resource available for flood mitigation. For the past two years, I have been part of a research project that works to track and analyze the health of coral reefs near my university. This project has increased my understanding of what is necessary for the growth and development of healthy coral. Although a career in marine biology is not lucrative, it is a career that I feel called to. My dream is to create community-involved projects that plant coral, build up reefs, and promote environmental awareness. As I continue to work towards this goal I am confident that, with support, I will be able to use my passion to help mitigate the effects of climate change to protect communities and create change.

As an undergraduate student studying biology with a marine emphasis, I have been fortunate enough to become involved in research focusing on the health of coral reefs on the Northeast shore of Oahu Hawaii. Throughout my work on this project, the importance of coral reefs has become increasingly apparent to me. I became involved in this research nearly two years ago as one of several students helping to track the reproduction of coral in two bays near my university. As the project has moved forward, and my role in the research has expanded, my passion for coral conservation and restoration has likewise developed. This ongoing research project is focused on the study of the density and abundance of stony coral, as it relates to spawning. Over the last two years, the spawning of two adjacent reefs has been tracked and we have discovered low levels of coral reproduction in these areas. Coral abundance and density on the windward shores of Oahu are likewise known to have been steadily decreasing over the last sixty years. In an effort to aid in the restoration of these reefs, this project is connecting coral density and abundance to spawning. The research being done will aid in future restoration efforts with the hope of finding a threshold for the amount of coral needed to be restored in an area before it can reproduce in a self-sufficient manner. Through my time spent on this project, I have become aware of the crucial role coral reefs play in the health of our planet. I look forward to continuing with this project through my undergraduate studies. Additionally, I am seeking opportunities to aid in coral restoration and look forward to furthering my understanding of coral through my undergraduate as well as post-graduate education. I am passionate about research projects such as this one, that focus on the study and restoration of stony corals. My budding passion for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs increases my motivation to pursue a graduate degree focused on environmental and marine research. Furthermore, I want to focus on research and restoration throughout my life, principally as it pertains to coral health. I am also interested in outreach and educating opportunities such as ecotourism and building up internship programs, especially for undergraduate students. Due to the numerous factors affecting our oceans the need for dedicated environmental scientists is more vital now than ever. Starting with graduate and postgraduate degrees I am working to become such a scientist. I have set my focus on stony coral as they are keystone species and habitat engineers. The loss of these species would be detrimental to the health of our planet. As such I am committed to fighting for their survival and I believe that my first steps in doing so is through the pursuit of a sound education.

As an undergraduate student studying biology with a marine emphasis, I have been fortunate enough to become involved in research focusing on the health of coral reefs on the Northeast shore of Oahu Hawaii. Throughout my work on this project, the importance of coral reefs has become increasingly apparent to me. I became involved in this research over a year ago as one of several students helping to track the reproduction of coral in two bays nearby my university. As the project has moved forward, and my role in the research has expanded, my passion for coral conservation and restoration has likewise developed. This ongoing research project is focused on the study of the density and abundance of stony coral, as it relates to spawning. Over the last two years, the spawning of two adjacent reefs has been tracked and we have discovered low levels of coral reproduction in these areas. Coral abundance and density on the windward shores of Oahu are likewise known to have been steadily decreasing over the last sixty years. In an effort to aid in the restoration of these reefs, this project is connecting coral density and abundance to spawning. The research being done will aid in future restoration efforts with the hope of finding a threshold for the amount of coral needed to be restored in an area before it can reproduce in a self-sufficient manner. Through my time spent on this project, I have become aware of the crucial role coral reefs play in the health of our planet. I look forward to continuing with this project through my undergraduate studies. Additionally, I am seeking opportunities to aid in coral restoration and look forward to furthering my understanding of coral through my undergraduate as well as post-graduate education. I am passionate about research projects such as this one, that focus on the study and restoration of stony corals. My budding passion for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs increases my motivation to pursue a graduate degree focused on environmental and marine research. Furthermore, I want to focus on research and restoration throughout my life, principally as it pertains to coral health. I am also interested in outreach and educating opportunities such as ecotourism and building up internship programs, especially for undergraduate students. Due to the numerous factors affecting our oceans the need for dedicated environmental scientists is more vital now than ever. Starting with graduate and postgraduate degrees I am working to become such a scientist. My focus is on stony coral because they are keystone species and habitat engineers, the loss of them would be detrimental to the health of our planet. As such I am committed to fighting for their survival and I believe that my first steps in doing so is through the pursuit of a sound education.

As an undergraduate student studying biology with a marine emphasis, I have been fortunate enough to become involved in research focusing on the health of coral reefs on the Northeast shore of Oahu Hawaii. Throughout my work on this project, the importance of coral reefs has become increasingly apparent to me. I became involved in this research over a year ago as one of several students helping to track the reproduction of coral in two bays nearby my university. As the project has moved forward, and my role in the research has expanded, my passion for coral conservation and restoration has likewise developed. This ongoing research project is focused on the study of the density and abundance of stony coral, as it relates to spawning. Over the last two years, the spawning of two adjacent reefs has been tracked and we have discovered low levels of coral reproduction in these areas. Coral abundance and density on the windward shores of Oahu are likewise known to have been steadily decreasing over the last sixty years. In an effort to aid in the restoration of these reefs, this project is connecting coral density and abundance to spawning. The research being done will aid in future restoration efforts with the hope of finding a threshold for the amount of coral needed to be restored in an area before it can reproduce in a self-sufficient manner. Through my time spent on this project, I have become aware of the crucial role coral reefs play in the health of our planet. I look forward to continuing with this project through my undergraduate studies. Additionally, I am seeking opportunities to aid in coral restoration and look forward to furthering my understanding of coral through my undergraduate as well as post-graduate education. I am passionate about research projects such as this one, that focus on the study and restoration of stony corals. My budding passion for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs increases my motivation to pursue a graduate degree focused on environmental and marine research. Furthermore, I want to focus on research and restoration throughout my life, principally as it pertains to coral health. I am also interested in outreach and educating opportunities such as ecotourism and building up internship programs, especially for undergraduate students. Due to the numerous factors affecting our oceans the need for dedicated environmental scientists is more vital now than ever. Starting with graduate and postgraduate degrees I am working to become such a scientist. My focus is on stony coral because they are keystone species and habitat engineers, the loss of them would be detrimental to the health of our planet. As such I am committed to fighting for their survival and I believe that my first steps in doing so is through the pursuit of a sound education.

As an undergraduate student studying biology with a marine emphasis, I have been fortunate enough to become involved in research focusing on the health of coral reefs on the Northeast shore of Oahu Hawaii. Throughout my work on this project, the importance of coral reefs has become increasingly apparent to me. I became involved in this research over a year ago as one of several students helping to track the reproduction of coral in two bays nearby my university. As the project has moved forward, and my role in the research has expanded, my passion for coral conservation and restoration has likewise developed. This ongoing research project is focused on the study of the density and abundance of stony coral, as it relates to spawning. Over the last two years, the spawning of two adjacent reefs has been tracked and we have discovered low levels of coral reproduction in these areas. Coral abundance and density on the windward shores of Oahu are likewise known to have been steadily decreasing over the last sixty years. In an effort to aid in the restoration of these reefs, this project is connecting coral density and abundance to spawning. The research being done will aid in future restoration efforts with the hope of finding a threshold for the amount of coral needed to be restored in an area before it can reproduce in a self-sufficient manner. Through my time spent on this project, I have become aware of the crucial role coral reefs play in the health of our planet. I look forward to continuing with this project through my undergraduate studies. Additionally, I am seeking opportunities to aid in coral restoration and look forward to furthering my understanding of coral through my undergraduate as well as post-graduate education. I am passionate about research projects such as this one, that focus on the study and restoration of stony corals. My budding passion for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs increases my motivation to pursue a graduate degree focused on environmental and marine research. Furthermore, I want to focus on research and restoration throughout my life, principally as it pertains to coral health. I am also interested in outreach and educating opportunities such as ecotourism and building up internship programs, especially for undergraduate students. Due to the numerous factors affecting our oceans the need for dedicated environmental scientists is more vital now than ever. Starting with graduate and postgraduate degrees I am working to become such a scientist. My focus is on stony coral because they are keystone species and habitat engineers, the loss of them would be detrimental to the health of our planet. As such I am committed to fighting for their survival and I believe that my first steps in doing so is through the pursuit of a sound education.

Flooding is increasing globally for a variety of reasons, as such it is important that work being done to decrease flooding is approached through a variety of methods. One method that I am passionate about is addressing flooding through the building up of healthy coral reefs. As a student studying environmental sciences at an international school located in Hawaii, I have become increasingly aware of the effects of flooding and coastal erosion. I have seen it as the coasts of Oahu steadily degrade; I have heard much about it from many of my close friends and classmates whose homes, located on island nations, are continuously affected by flooding due to rising ocean levels. Furthermore, my family in the mainland United States is experiencing flood risks due to snowmelt after a winter of record snowfall. Coral reefs substantially reduce the effects of erosion and the risk of flooding by creating a barrier, where waves break, away from the shore. This disperses the wave energy before it reaches the coast and thus protects the land. Unfortunately, as coral reefs degrade their ability to protect coastal communities from storm surges and flooding lessens. Without extensive restoration of coral species, reefs will continue to decline and flooding will worsen. For over a year I have eagerly worked with a small team in leading an ongoing research project studying the density and abundance of stony coral, as it relates to spawning. Over the last two years, the spawning of two nearby reefs has been tracked and we have discovered low levels of coral reproduction in these areas. Likewise, coral abundance and density on the windward shores of Oahu, near my university, have been steadily decreasing over the last sixty years. In an effort to aid in the restoration of these reefs, this project is connecting coral density and abundance to spawning. The research being done will aid in future restoration efforts with the hope of finding a threshold for the amount of coral needed to be restored in an area before it can reproduce in a self-sufficient manner. Through my time spent on this project, I have become aware of the crucial role coral reefs play in the health of our planet. I look forward to continuing with this project through my undergraduate studies. Additionally, I am seeking opportunities to aid in coral restoration and look forward to furthering my understanding of coral through my undergraduate as well as post-graduate education. I am passionate about research projects such as this one, that focus on the study and restoration of stony corals; without them, coral reefs have little chance of survival. With the loss of these reefs, wave action and storm surges will greater affect coastal communities due to increased flooding.