Samantha is a student at The University of North Carolina - Wilmington majoring in Marine Biology with a concentration in Conservation with a minor in Climate Change. Originally growing up in Minnesota she understands the challenges of wanting to make a difference for the ocean while living far from it. Her passions for marine conservation grew stronger through hands-on experiences at university with organizations like the Plastic Ocean Project and UNCWSurfrider, where she has worked on community education and sustainable initiatives. With the Plastic Ocean Project, she analyzes microfibers from the North Pacific Gyre. With UNCWSurfrider, she leads educational initiatives through beach cleanups, campus outreach, and sustainability-focused events that engage the local community and raise awareness about ocean health. Samantha believes that education is one of the most powerful tools in conservation, and is passionate about empowering others to take action. As a Marine Plastics Ambassador, she is excited to inspire others —no matter how far they are from the coast— to take action against plastic pollution and protect the marine ecosystems she deeply cares about.