I've loved the ocean since I was very little. For my fifth birthday, I got a copy of Scubazoo's Reef, and I credit that book with giving me a direction in life. I was particularly drawn to a small class of molluscs known as nudibranchs- globally widespread and armed with chemical defenses, they are also one of the most resilient animals in the ocean, despite their fragile appearance. But I fear that is not enough- the ocean is a carefully balanced system of predation and defenses, but the only organisms marine animals cannot defend themselves against are humans. The way we treat our oceans is appalling, to say the least. Garbage is only part of the issue- the pH of our oceans is rising, and so is the temperature. Without healthy coral reefs, once thriving ecosystems- including those home to the gastropod I hope to focus my studies on- will become barren. We need a massive overhaul of global policy if we are to ensure the preservation of our oceans for future generations. The ocean can do so much for us- for instance, compounds sequestered by nudibranchs may hold the key to the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents- but there is also so much we can do for the ocean; there is so much we have to do. I've loved the ocean since long before I knew I was a lesbian, and though I've largely kept these two spheres of my life separate, they are both important aspects of who I am as a future researcher and scientist. I believe I could use this scholarship to not only bring a diverse perspective to the discussion on oceanic health, but to also to take direct action through my studies, which this scholarship would help fund. It would, ultimately, allow me to spend more time working on what I care about- if we are to study the oceans and their flora and fauna, we must first and foremost work to protect their biodiversity, through responsible stewardship and education.