Throughout my life growing up in coastal Alaska, I have had many wonderful and unique experiences related to marine ecology. I grew up fishing on boats and observing whales, sea lions, seabirds, and sea otters every chance I got. Exploring rivers, lakes and the intertidal zone with my family has always been a favorite pastime. The plethora of fish, barnacles, sea anemones, shellfish, shore crabs, and a host of other organisms instilled in me a love of the diverse life forms that reside on this amazing planet!