I turned the big 3-0 in October 2023. Like any ‘milestone’ celebration, I sat back and reflected on my life up to that point. The last few weeks had seen major life changes: I had stepped away from my PhD (thanks, international student fees), was a newlywed, and was the proud owner of a new puppy. My family and friends from around the world were visiting me in the country I had called home since the end of 2017, finally able to understand what I loved so much about this giant island continent.
It seemed like a nod to my beginnings in a small, Caribbean oasis: Puerto Rico. With its blend of Spanish, African, and Indigenous Taíno influences, mi isla boasts a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Its vibrant spirit is reflected in its lively music, flavorful cuisine, and warm hospitality. From the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to the lush rainforests of El Yunque, there is no escaping its enchanting allure.
Did you know Puerto Rico is not just one island, but rather an archipelago within the Antilles archipelago? Surrounding this main island are more than 100 small islands and cays (also known as islets, which are very small sand islands that build up atop a reef). Also, Taínos are the Indigenous people who populated Puerto Rico’s larger island before the Spanish came to the Americas.
My earliest childhood recollections are painted with the hues of turquoise waters, the salty breeze, and the rhythmic symphony of waves crashing against the brilliant sandy shore. At the time, it was just fun to poke my head in the exposed coral crevices of the beach we frequented when I was little and the rainforest that adorns my country. Little did I know then that these experiences would become the cornerstone of my career and passion for the natural world.
Growing up on an island, the ocean was not just a mere backdrop but a living, breathing entity that fueled my curiosity and sense of wonder. I remember spending countless hours exploring tide pools, collecting seashells, and marvelling at the kaleidoscope of marine life hidden beneath the surface. Each encounter left an indelible mark on my young mind, igniting a fascination that would shape the trajectory of my life in ways I never would have fathomed. From the vibrant coral reefs teeming with life to the bioluminescence that made our water sparkle like the night sky, I witnessed firsthand the intricate interconnectedness of marine species and their habitats. Each encounter drove this innate desire in me to understand and protect these precious environments - these memories - for generations to come.
Bioluminescence (bye-oh-loo-muh-NES-uhns) is the production and emission of light by a living organism. The light emitted by a bioluminescent organism is produced by energy released from chemical reactions occurring inside (or ejected by) the organism. In the ocean, bioluminescence is not as rare as you might think. In fact, most types of animals, from bacteria to sharks, include some bioluminescent members.
While the functions of bioluminescence are not known for all animals, typically bioluminescence is used to warn or evade predators, to lure or detect prey, and for communication between members of the same species. Bioluminescent creatures are found throughout marine habitats, from the ocean surface to the deep seafloor.
To answer even a fraction of the questions, I realized I needed to become a professional scientist. A marine biologist. Through academic pursuits, I immersed myself in the study of marine ecosystems, conservation, and biodiversity. Spent countless hours conducting research, diving into the depths of the ocean, and collaborating with fellow scientists to unravel its mysteries. With each passing day, my passion for marine conservation grew stronger, fueled by a sense of responsibility to safeguard our planet’s most precious resource. Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to work alongside some of the most brilliant minds in marine science and conservation. While being an environmental scientist is a career fraught with challenges and setbacks, it is a journey that is also imbued with hope and resilience by seeing the incredible people who are working so damn hard to protect our blue spaces.
When I tell people I’m a marine scientist, so many exclaim, “That’s what I wanted to be as a kid!” I acknowledge I am living a dream (an expensive one, but my dream job nonetheless), but chasing this dream has changed my life. Not just because I get to scuba dive with sharks, pursue whales in a helicopter, or experience the magic of the deep-sea through a submarine… but because being a marine scientist has changed me as a person.
My experiences in this field have not only enriched my understanding of the natural world but have instilled in me valuable lessons that extend far beyond the realm of science. I’ve become more empathetic as a person because I see how our actions impact others (e.g. the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems, from plastic pollution to overfishing). I’ve broadened my thinking to be more interdisciplinary, as our oceans are inherently multifaceted. I’ve become more patient and learned the value of perseverance, as the ocean does not readily yield its secrets. The ability to navigate through adversity and adapt to changing circumstances has made me more resilient in the face of life's challenges. And my work constantly reminds me of the boundless creativity and resilience of life itself – a reminder that fills me with hope and purpose in an ever-changing world.
But perhaps most importantly, this career path has imbued me with a profound sense of wonder and humility in the face of nature’s awe-inspiring beauty and complexity.
It reminds me of a quote from the animated series BoJack Horseman, where one of the characters says, “In the great scheme of things, we are just tiny specks.” How can one not feel small in the face of a towering mountain, the cosmos stretched before you at night on an open field, being caught in the middle of a soul-ripping storm in the middle of the ocean? In the vast expanse of the Milky Way galaxy, our planet is a tiny presence within the known universe. Despite our efforts to preserve it, our world could vanish without a trace, unnoticed by anyone in the neighbouring solar systems. It seems small, inconsequential, all the work we do. Yet, knowing this, I still want to protect the magic we have. “The only thing that matters is right now, this moment, this one spectacular moment we are sharing together,” continued BoJack in that quote.
I hope, regardless of the life path you’ve chosen, you stop to look around. Take in the flowers, breathe in the ocean salt-tanged air, revel in the sound of crunchy leaves under your shoes, and how grass blades feel between your fingertips. Listen to the soundtrack of your local habitats. I hope you feel little… and expansive all at once.
It’s okay to be in awe of the ‘everyday, mundane’ things.
Take it all in.
Take it all in.
My job taught me to do just that.
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