I'm a biology student born, raised, and forever in love with California and have a deep passion for wildlife conservation. Being actively involved in wildlife rehabilitation for the past three years has given me the opportunity to learn about animals in a very unique and intimate way. Last summer I drove alone across the continental United States (from California to Virginia and back), and one of my great realizations was that you don't have to travel far to find exotic and captivating life and landscapes. I hope to expose the beauty and mystique of the everyday world around us to inspire appreciation and protection of local natural resources. As my career progresses and takes me all over the world, I want to use my scientific knowledge to educate others about the importance of nature and exploration and utilize my creative abilities to help them make a more personal connection with the world around them.