Lucille Komar is a marine scientist and advocate passionate about connecting research to policy solutions that engage and bolster coastal communities. Her experience growing up on Cape Cod, MA drove her desire to learn more about the waters around her and to protect the vitality of their ecosystems. A senior at Harvard College, she studies Earth & Planetary Science and Environmental Science & Public Policy, where her current research efforts focus on the cascading impacts of ocean warming in the Gulf of Maine.

Outside of the classroom, Lucille focuses on mobilizing support for localized efforts that translate ocean science into tangible impacts for those who stand to benefit the most from its adoption and application. This past summer, interning with the Environmental Defense Fund, she developed tools connecting NOAA programs to coastal communities, and will continue this work this summer, developing mechanisms in Latin America to advance community-based marine conservation initiatives.

Deeply grateful for formative experiences engaging with ocean science and conservation efforts, Lucille is excited to create a platform and network for fellow youth advocates while serving as a 2026 U.S. Oceans Protection Ambassador.