By Sofia Lara
Florida State University
Hi everyone! My name is Sofia Lara, and I’m a rising senior at Florida State
University majoring in Environmental Science. I’m originally from Miami, Florida,
but I’ve also lived in Texas and even Mexico! I’ve lived by the coast my entire
life and being surrounded by such a rich environment has fueled my passion for
learning about the earth systems we inhabit and how to best protect them.
This summer, with the support of the IDEA Grant, I’ll be traveling to Bonaire in
the southern Caribbean to conduct independent research on coral reef restoration
and fish communities. Along with Dr. Andrew Rassweilers Lab, I’ll be participating
in underwater fish transects at both wild and restored Acropora cervicornis reef
sites. My research will explore whether these restoration efforts are also
succeeding in restoring fish communities and ecosystem functionality—not just the
coral structures themselves.
My curiosity for ecology and fieldwork started when I joined FSU’s Undergraduate
Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Through that program, I connected with Allie
Blanchette and began assisting with her work, which included watching and
annotating fish behavior in video footage from Bonaire’s reefs. I found it
fascinating to understand how species interact and respond to environmental
changes. I’ve been working in the lab ever since, and when the opportunity to join
the field research team came up, I knew I had to be part of it.
To prepare, I applied and was accepted into FSU’s Scientific Diving course and even
received a scholarship to help cover the cost. Learning to SCUBA dive has been one
of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences I’ve had at FSU so far. It’s both
fun and physically demanding, but it’s shown me just how much I love being in the
field, actively contributing to science.
Through this summer research project, I hope to sharpen my skills as a scientific
diver, gain a deeper understanding of reef ecology, and contribute valuable data to
help assess restoration progress in Bonaire. I’m especially excited to explore
questions about species diversity, fish abundance, and habitat complexity, and how
all of that ties back to the health and success of restored reefs.
Looking forward, I plan to pursue a career in marine science, ideally working in
ecosystem restoration or conservation. My dream is to combine fieldwork, community
outreach, and environmental science to make a real impact—especially in coastal
communities like the one I grew up in. Being Mexican-American and surrounded by
diverse cultures my whole life, I also believe global environmental work needs
diverse voices, and I’m proud to be a part of that movement.
Thanks for following along! I can’t wait to share updates from Bonaire as I dive
into this exciting chapter.
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