You're invited to join us next Thursday, March 16, for Science on the Spectrum, a special virtual event highlighting neurodiversity, featuring a panel of guest speakers who will share their experiences and insights on how their perspectives shaped their careers in science. We have an amazing group of scientists taking part in this event, including:

Jeimi (Jamie) Ellis is a graduate from the University of South Alabama, where she earned a BSc in geology. As a geologist and NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador, she has spent the last three years learning about environmental geology and earth science in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama. Jeimi also works as a content creator, creating fun, educational media to inspire young individuals to engage in STEM fields. She is passionate about the night sky and has plans to protect the our dark skies so that future generations can also fall in love with the Milky Way.

Brooke Enright is an avid scuba diver, ocean lover, adventurer, and teacher. She graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a degree in biology with a concentration in ecology, evolution, and conservation. She also obtained a specialized subject certificate in water quality research. Brooke was a REEF Marine Conservation Intern in fall 2022. Her goal is to explore and discover the scientific world while educating others. She focuses on underrepresentation in STEM and strives to have accessible science and opportunities for all.

Toni Galloway is an Astrobiology Ph.D. Candidate at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Their research focuses on biogeochemical cycling within hot springs on Earth, as analogues for Mars. Toni earned a BSc in biology and geology at the University of St Andrews, and used their background in both subjects to understand the extreme environments within these hot springs. Toni's fieldwork takes place in Iceland, and they have visited there twice so far during their doctorate research! Toni is currently spending a semester at the University of Manchester to analyze the bioinformatics (aka genetic sequences) of the microbes within modern hot springs.

David Girbino is a queer, autistic master's student in the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. They are studying agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and syntropic farming techniques to create a secure and resilient future for food-sovereign Hawaii. They have had to navigate the challenges and utilize strengths of neurodivergence (and an autonomic nervous system disorder) throughout their professional and academic careers, and they hope that their experiences will serve as a useful guide to others in the future!

We hope you can join us for Science on the Spectrum! To register, visit www.REEF.org/fishinars.