Meet Your Peer Counselors

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Welcome, Future 'Canes!

Welcome all incoming and prospective students! As the Peer Counselors, we would like to introduce you to life as a student at both the University of Miami and the Rosenstiel School for Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. Incoming students are paired with a Peer Counselor who will help make the transition into college as smooth and enjoyable as possible, both academically and socially. We are here as guides for incoming and prospective students who are interested in studying marine and atmospheric science. If you have any questions about the program, the campus, life at the university, or anything else, please email any one of us, and we will do our very best to help you find an answer to your questions.

Ali Donnelly

Co-Head Peer Counselor

Major: Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor: Marine Policy
Class: 2026
Email: acd92957@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Bonnethead Shark
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Ali, and I'm a senior from Northern Kentucky majoring in Marine Biology and Ecology with a minor in Marine Policy. In addition to being a peer counselor, on campus I am a Co-President of Aquarium Club and a member of Rho Rho Rho. I'm also a field ...

Anastasia Ippolito

Co-Head Peer Counselor

Major: Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor: Mathematics and Environmental Engineering
Class: 2027
Email: axi450@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Gray Nurse Shark
Bio: Hi everyone! I'm Anastasia Ippolito from Annapolis, Maryland, studying Marine Biology and Ecology with minors in Math and Environmental Engineering. I'm a NOAA Hollings Scholar, Merchandise Officer for the Scuba Club, a peer counselor, and a member of the Women's Club ...

Lucy Barnard

Major: Marine Science / Computer Science
Minor: Math, Chemistry
Class: 2028
Email: ljb217@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Trichodesmium
Bio: Hi! My name is Lucy and I am a Sophomore from Hastings, Michigan. I am studying Marine Science and Computer Science with minors in Math and Chemistry. In addition to being a peer counselor, I am a proud member of UMAC and UShred. I also work at the Herbert ...

Julia Craig

Major: Marine Affairs
Minor: Ecosystem Science & Policy, Sustainable Business
Class: 2027
Email: jkc111@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Loggerhead sea turtle
Bio: Hi! My name is Julia Craig and I'm from Sarasota, Florida! I'm a Junior studying Marine Affairs, Ecosystem Science & Policy, and Sustainable Business. On campus, I am a member of Rho Rho Rho, Scuba Club, and Greek life! I volunteer in the Coral Reef Futures Laboratory, and ...

Rebecca Lacy

Major: Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor: Climate Science and Policy
Class: 2026
Email: rxl1062@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Staghorn coral
Bio: Hello! My name is Rebecca Lacy, and I am a senior from Virginia majoring in Marine Biology and Ecology. Over the past few years, I've been actively involved in a wide range of campus organizations—from rowing and Greek life to nearly every Rosenstiel School-based club. Some of my favorite clubs include the UM Aquarium Club, Rho Rho Rho (the Marine and Atmospheric ...

Casey LeBlanc

Major: Marine Biology and Ecology (Pre-Veterinary)
Minor: Chemistry
Class: 2026
Email: cpl84@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Manatee
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Casey LeBlanc, and I am a senior from Sudbury, Massachusetts. I am a Marine Biology and Ecology major with a minor in chemistry, and I am on the pre-vet track. On campus, I am a member of the marine mammal rescue team, rho rho rho, UThrift, and SCUBA ...

Serena Lombardi

Major: Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor: Ecosystem Science and Policy
Class: 2028
Email: sgl96@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Blobfish
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Serena Lombardi, and I am a rising sophomore from New Jersey majoring in Marine Biology and Ecology. On campus I am a member of Rho Rho Rho and UCatholic. In addition to a peer counselor, I will also be working as an FYF on campus. In my free time I love reading, hiking, swimming, and ...

Abigail Mikes

Major: Marine Affairs and English
Minor: Ecosystem Science and Policy
Class: 2027
Email: agm255@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Scalloped hammerhead
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Abby, and I'm a junior from Arizona double majoring in marine affairs and English with a minor in ecosystem science and policy. At UM, I am involved in Rho Rho Rho, ESG Honor Society, and PAD. I am also the treasurer for FLOAT and a fundraising chair ...

Brian Mulvey

Major: Marine Science / Geological Sciences
Class: 2027
Email: bem153@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Cormorant
Bio: Hi! My name is Brian Mulvey and I'm a marine science/geology double major with interests in photography and filmmaking. A bit about me, I'm from White Plains, NY, and I switched into mar-sci/geo my freshman spring. On campus, I'm the president of UShred, a club dedicated to making surfing and skateboarding more accessible, the assistant photo editor at The Miami ...

Amelia Myers

Major: Marine Biology and Ecology; Ecosystem Science and Policy
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Class: 2027
Email: axm8419@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Greenland shark
Bio: Hello! My name is Amelia Myers, and I am a rising Junior from Evanston, Illinois, right outside of Chicago. I am a double major in Marine Biology & Ecology and Ecosystem Science & Policy with a minor in Entrepreneurship. I am the president of SCUBA Club, a NOAA Hollings Scholar, and a member of Rho Rho Rho. I work in Dr. Searcy's lab doing salamander research in the ...

Maggie Padavan

Major: Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor: Ecosystem Science and Policy
Class: 2028
Email: mxp2265@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Galápagos sea lion
Bio: Hi! My name is Maggie Padavan, and I'm from Long Island, NY. I'm a rising sophomore majoring in Marine Biology and Ecology, with a minor in Ecosystem Science and Policy. I developed my passion for marine science and conservation after my visit to the Galápagos Islands in 2022. On campus, I am involved in SCUBA Club, Rho Rho Rho, Surfrider, and I served as the freshman ...

Isabela Puente

Major: Marine Affairs
Minor: Sociology
Class: 2025
Email: ixp403@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Mako shark
Bio: Hey everyone! My name's Isabela, and I'm a rising senior majoring in Marine Affairs. Besides being a peer counselor, I'm an advisor for the Climate Resilience Institute and undergraduate researcher at the College of Engineering (environmental). Off-campus, I'm a tutor and outreach coordinator, working to bring scientific engagement to South Florida youth. I'm a Miami native, and I love to surf, longboard, and ...

Lydia Reider

Major: Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor: Ecosystem Science and Policy
Class: 2028
Email: lrr131@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Spotted eagle ray
Bio: Hello! My name is Lydia Reider, and I am a rising sophomore from Austin, Texas, majoring in Marine Biology & Ecology. Additionally to being a peer counselor, I am involved in many marine clubs on campus. Right now, I serve as one of the freshman representatives for the Scuba Club and am a member of the Activities Chair for the Ocean Awareness Week executive board. I'm ...

Emma Ryan

Major: Oceanography; Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor: Biological Physics
Class: 2026
Email: ear206@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Strawberry Squid
Bio: Hi! My name is Emma and I'm a senior studying oceanography and marine biology & ecology. In addition to being a peer counselor, I'm also involved in Rho Rho Rho. In my free time, I love yoga, going to the beach, and finding the best coffee in Miami. I'm so excited for this year and to ...

Andrew Worley

Major: Meteorology, Broadcast Journalism
Minor: Mathematics
Class: 2027
Email: ajw328@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Tornadoes
Bio: Hey everyone! My name is Andrew Worley and I'm a rising junior double majoring in Meteorology and Broadcast Journalism. I was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma and developed a passion for weather thanks to the crazy tornadoes we get over there. On campus, I'm a member of multiple UMTV shows and work two separate on-campus jobs. I'm also a graduate of UM's ...

Elizabeth Yera

Major: Marine Science / Biology
Class: 2027
Email: exy145@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Blue-ringed octopus
Bio: Hey! My name is Elizabeth Yera and I'm from Miami. I'm a rising junior majoring in marine science and biology. On campus I'm the vice president of UShred (surf and skate club) and a member of Scuba club, while off campus I work as a nail technician. I also commute to school and understand that as a commuter it can be difficult to become involved in activities on ...