Meet Your Peer Counselors!

Alanna Franolich

Major:  Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor:  Marine Policy
Class:  2025
Email:  arf161@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Thresher shark
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Alanna Franolich and I am a rising Senior from Pennsylvania studying marine biology and marine policy. In addition to being a peer counselor I am a member of the Scuba...  Club, Surfrider Foundation, an employee at the Herbert Wellness Center, as well as a research assistant for Dr. Purkis’ foraminifera lab. Some of my favorite areas of marine science are shark biology, reef health bioindicators, and the biomedical implications of marine biology. In my free time I love reading, paddle boarding, music festivals, weightlifting, and cooking! I am so excited to meet you all! Please feel free to reach out. Go Canes!

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Ali Donnelly

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Addison Becker

Majors:  Marine Science/Biology
Minors:  Ecosystem Science and Policy
Class:    2025
Email:    ajb467@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Tiger Shark
Bio:  Hi everyone, I am Addison Becker! I am originally from the Washington DC area and am entering my senior year at UM! I am double majoring in Marine Affairs and Political Science, with a minor in Ecosystem Science and Policy. ... Throughout my time at Miami, I have been involved in a variety of extracurriculars, including, interning with the Hanley Democracy Center on campus, working with the Waste Diversion team for ECO Agency, being an active member of Alpha Delta Pi, and co-founding FL.O.A.T. (Florida Ocean Advocacy Team). This summer I have the privilege to intern in the US Senate under Chair Maria Cantwell for the Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing Subcommittee. I am always happy to answer any questions! Counting down the days until I meet you all! LYGC!

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Allison Blatter

Major:   Marine Biology and Ecology
Minor:   Political Science
Class:    2025
Email:    agb140@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Galapagos Fur Seal
Bio: Hi, my name is Allison and I am a Senior from Minnesota studying Marine Biology and Ecology. I am a member of the Hurricane Productions Canes Night Live Committee where I enjoy putting on free fun events for students once a month. Additionally, I enjoy... promoting on-campus sustainability through ECO Reps and cooking delicious meals. I am passionate about coral restoration and have been spending lots of time at the Rosenstiel Coral Hatchery taking care of these delicate organisms. I am interning at the Florida Aquarium in their coral spawning facilities this summer. I would be happy to answer any of your questions. Welcome to the U!

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Becca Buwalda

Major:   Marine Science/Geological Sciences
Minor:   Ecosystem Science and Policy
Class:    2024
Email:   rgb90@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Beluga Whale
Bio: Hi there! My name is Becca! I am a senior this year originally from Atlanta, GA. Aside from serving as a peer counselor, I'm a student employer at Lakeside Village, a part of the e-board of ... Ocean Awareness Week, and am completing my senior thesis in the Biogeochemistry lab with Dr. Oehlert. I am also a NOAA Hollings Scholar working in Connecticut this summer at one of the National Estuarine Reserves, studying artificial Reef Ball health. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

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Julia Craig

Major:   Marine Affairs
Class:    2027
Email:    jkc111@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Moon Jellyfish
Bio: My name is Julia Craig and I’m from Sarasota, Florida! I’m a Sophomore studying Marine Affairs, Ecosystem Science & Policy, and Sustainable Business. On campus, I serve as an Activities Chair for Ocean Awareness Week, and I’m a member of Rho Rho Rho, Scuba Club, and ... Chi Omega! This summer, I’m interning at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium with the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. I am so excited to welcome you all to the Rosenstiel family at the University of Miami! Please reach out if you have any questions!

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Kat Horrigan

Majors:  Marine Science/Biology
Class:    2025
Email:     kjh121@miami.edu
Favorite marine animal:  Cookie cutter shark 
Bio:  Hi! My name is Kat Horrigan and I am a rising senior from Andover, Kansas double majoring in marine science/biology. On campus, I am currently working as a research assistant in the Toadfish Lab. I also had the opportunity to study abroad ... in the Galapagos this past fall! In my free time I like to snorkel, scuba, read, and hike! I’m so excited to meet everyone and hope y’all have a great summer! Please feel free to reach out with any questions! LYGC!

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Anastasia Ippolito

Major:  Marine Biology and Ecology
Class:   2027
Email:   axi450@miami.edu
Favorite marine animal : Gray Nurse Shark
Bio:  Hi everyone! I'm a rising sophomore from Annapolis, Maryland, majoring in Marine Biology and Ecology. Besides being a peer counselor, I also serve as an equipment officer for the Scuba Club and am a member of the women's club soccer ... team. When I am not studying, you can find me exploring Miami, diving into the reefs, running around campus, or spending time with friends. Please feel free to reach out; I know freshman year can be intimidating; however, I am confident we can get through it. Welcome to Rosenstiel!

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Rebecca Lacy

Major:   Marine Biology and Ecology
Class:    2026
Email:    rxl1062@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Giant squid
Bio:  Hello! My name is Rebecca Lacy, and I am a junior from Virginia majoring in Marine Biology and Ecology. I am a member of many different marine science-based clubs, such as Rho Rho Rho and Aquarium Club. I am also ... involved in Greek Life and have participated in UM athletics. This past year, I served as the Ocean Awareness Week Community Outreach Co-Chair, and I will begin undergraduate research this spring in the Cnidarian Immunity Laboratory. Yay, corals! Please reach out with any questions. I can’t wait to meet you!

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Casey LeBlanc

Major:  Marine Biology and Ecology (Pre-Vet Track)
Minor:  Chemistry
Class:   2026
Email:  cpl84@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Manatee
Bio:  Hi everyone! My name is Casey LeBlanc, and I am a junior 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 Club. I am also the treasurer of the Pre-Vet Society, and the Alumni/Parent chair for the school's rugby team. This summer, I shadowed and worked as a veterinary assistant at my local animal hospital. This fall, I will be working in Dr. McDonald's Aplysia lab. I can't wait to meet y'all and please reach out if you have any questions!"

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Kylie Marozsan

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Abigail Mikes

Majors:  Marine Biology and Ecology/Oceanography
Class:    2027
Email:    agm255@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Hammerhead shark
Bio:  Hey! My name is Abby, and I'm a sophomore from Arizona double majoring in marine biology and oceanography. At UM, I am involved in Rho Rho Rho, ... Ocean Awareness Week, SCUBA Club, and FLOAT. In my free time, I love to read, bake, and spend as much time as I can by the ocean. I'm so excited to meet you all! Feel free to reach out with any questions.

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Brian Mulvey

Majors:  Marine Science/Geology
Class:    2027
Email:    bem153@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Jack crevalle
Bio:  Hi there! My name is Brian Mulvey, and I'm a sophomore from White Plains, NY, studying marine science and geology (switched 2nd semester from marine biology & ecology) with interests in photography and film. On campus, I'm the ... President and founder of UShred, UM's hottest surfing and skating club, and the Public Relations chair for Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the Earth science honor society. Additionally, I have assisted research in the biology department, studying the food base of an endangered salamander species. This summer, I will be prepping for the upcoming semester, lifeguarding, and climbing trees in the Ecuadorian Amazon, helping study the seed dispersal network, or in other words, fruit and the animals that eat it. Please feel free to reach out, I'm always happy to connect and hopefully I can connect you with what you're looking for.

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Bryan Robertson

Major:   Marine Biology and Ecology
Class:    2025
Email:    ber82@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Tropicbird
Bio:  Hi, my name is Bryan Robertson. I am a senior majoring in Marine Biology & Ecology with a minor in Creative Writing. I am from Buffalo, New York but grew a passion for marine life when I visited Florida as a kid ... and saw the ocean for the first time. From there I wished to spend my life turning that passion into a career. Last fall I studied abroad with UGalapagos which was an incredibly enriching experience. On campus, I am a member of Rho Rho Rho, Scuba club, and Aquarium club. This summer I’m interning for fish and invertebrate department at the Aquarium of Niagara. I will be obtaining experience in husbandry and life support. Some things I enjoy doing are playing music, diving, and of course going to the beach. So excited to introduce you all to the Rosenstiel Family! If you have any questions, I'd love to answer.

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Emma Ryan

Majors:  Marine Biology and Ecology/Oceanography
Minors:  Biological Physics, Climate Science and Policy
Class:    2026
Email:    ear206@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism:   Strawberry Squid
Bio:  Hi! My name is Emma and I’m a junior 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 meet all of you! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

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Morgan Scola

Major:   Marine Biology and Ecology
Minors:  Meteorology, Psychology
Class:    2025
Email:    mes453@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Salmon shark
Bio:  Hi! My name is Morgan Scola. I’m from Potomac, Maryland right outside of DC. I am a rising senior studying marine biology & ecology with minors in meteorology and psychology. I am the president of SCUBA club, treasurer ... of the women’s ice hockey team, and members of Rho Rho Rho, the Ocean Awareness Week e-board, the AMS club. Additionally, I am a Shark Research and Conservation program undergraduate intern and a research assistant in the SUSTAIN lab. These past two summers, I have been a mate and marine biology instructor at a sailing and scuba program for teenagers in the British Virgin Islands. I can’t wait to get back on campus and connect with new students!

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Alejandro Storper

Majors:  Marine Science/Microbiology & Immunology
Class:    2026
Email:    aas443@miami.edu
Favorite marine organism: Spinner dolphin
Bio:  Hey! My name is Ale and I'm a rising junior from Miami, Florida majoring in Marine Science and Microbiology & Immunology with minors in Chemistry and Biological Physics on the pre-med track. I'm currently ... training to be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and can't wait to start working as one later in the fall semester. On the side, I also work as an assistant photographer and at the pool on campus. I enjoy playing guitar/piano, going on a run, or eating Mexican food when I take a much-needed study break. I'm excited to meet you all and don't be afraid to reach out!

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Jessica Weinberg

Major:   Meteorology
Minors:  Mathematics, Climate Policy, and Geology
Class:    2026
Email:    jgw80@miami.edu
Favorite weather phenomenon: Twin Tornadoes
Bio:  Hi! My name is Jessica Weinberg and I am from Westchester, New York. I'm a current junior at the University of Miami majoring in Meteorology with minors in Mathematics, Climate Policy, and Geology. I'm part of ... a couple of different organizations including the Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, the Earth Science Honor Society (SGE), and the hurricane outreach program, Canes-on-Canes. On my own time, I have been involved in a few research projects and am currently double-published! I absolutely adore all things UM and Earth Science related, so please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding UM clubs or research opportunities!

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Andrew Worley

Majors:  Meteorology/Broadcast Journalism
Class:    2027
Email:    ajw328@miami.edu
Favorite weather phenomenon: Tornado
Bio:  Hey everyone! My name is Andrew Worley and I'm a rising sophomore 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 the American Meteorology Society and on the cast of UMTV's CanesCast. I'm also a graduate of UM's 'First Year U' program, which I highly recommend you check out and apply for! I love storm chasing, exploring the city of Miami, and going on spontaneous adventures. If you have any questions or anything at all, feel free to contact me! See y'all in the Fall!

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