Honored to Receive the Best Poster Award From the ESA Latin American and Caribbean Chapter

This past August, I had the incredible opportunity to present my research, “Impact of Environmental Variation on Pest and Parasite Patterns in Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Chesapeake Bay,” at the 110th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) in Baltimore, Maryland.

This conference brought together scientists, educators, and students from around the world who share a passion for understanding and protecting our ecosystems. Presenting my work at such a prestigious event was an unforgettable experience—and to my surprise and deep honor, I received the Best Poster Award from the ESA Latin American and Caribbean Chapter.

This recognition means so much to me as an emerging scientist from Puerto Rico. It represents not only the effort behind this research but also the collective support of an incredible community that be

ieves in me.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the ESA SEEDS Program, whose constant encouragement, mentorship, and resources made my participation possible. Thank you for always pushing me, for making sure I made it to Baltimore, and for continuously creating spaces where diverse voices in ecology are celebrated.

I am also deeply grateful to Dr. Allison Tracy at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) for her immense guidance and mentorship throughout this research. Working with her and the IMET team has been transformative and has strengthened my passion for marine ecology and environmental research.

This experience reminded me of the power of community, perseverance, and representation in science. I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who believed in me and helped me grow along the way.