Madeleine Pacheco, a PhD student at UCLA and NSF graduate student research fellow, is in Madagascar this summer with the Global Sustainability Scholars Fellows program. There, she will work with researchers from the University of Toliara, Reef Doctor, and Harvard University on the autonomous reef monitoring systems (ARMS) project, which focuses on restoring biodiversity, building fisheries, and improving human health. Pacheco is passionate about ocean resilience and building a more inclusive science community. She likes to spend her free time outside doing yoga on the beach or exploring nature preserves. When Pacheco was growing up, her mom would tell her, “Go after all your dreams, but please never try scuba diving or skydiving.” Naturally, she chose a career that requires scuba diving. “Maybe trying skydiving is next?” she said.

Humans of CIRES Q&A

Q: What will you be working on with GSS this summer?
I will be collaborating with researchers from the University of Toliara, Reef Doctor, and Harvard University to leverage the use of autonomous reef monitoring systems (ARMS) for restoring biodiversity, building fisheries, and improving human health in Madagascar.

Q: What are you most passionate about professionally?
I am passionate about investigating ocean resilience in order to conserve marine ecosystems and advocate for ocean health while striving to foster a more inclusive scientific community by promoting equitable participation of underrepresented groups.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?
I love getting out of the city, so on the weekends, I often spend my time at a beach doing yoga or strolling through a nature preserve!

Q: Tell us about your family.
My parents, brother, and sister, are my biggest motivators and supporters. Growing up, my mom would tell me, “Go after all your dreams, but please never try scuba diving or skydiving” so of course, I became a scuba diver and went into a career where I have to scuba dive. Maybe trying skydiving is next?

I was fortunate enough to get awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and start my PhD at UCLA this past year!