Hola! I'm Melissa, a passionate marine science education expert based in Australia with roots in Puerto Rico and Mexico. Over the past decade, I've been dedicated to advancing marine science education and communication, earning recognition as one of Sachamama's "Los 100 Latinos Más Comprometidos con la Acción Climática" in 2021 and as a finalist for Forbes 30 Under 30: Science in 2020.

My work, celebrated by InStyle's "50 Badass Women" in 2021, has been featured in top outlets like Science, NPR, Vogue, and showcased on platforms like Disney+, BBC, and National Geographic. Known as "the most enthusiastic shark scientist," I use my voice to inspire others to chase their dreams, especially when it comes to breaking barriers in science. My TEDx talk, "Sharks and Female Scientists: More Alike Than You Think," highlighted the need for representation and diversity in the field. This commitment extends to my roles with Women in Ocean Science, Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), and PangeaSeed.

I'm also an author, with works like the Wild Survival series, Mother of Sharks, Sea of Constellations, and upcoming titles like Shark Code (2026) and Leo's Lobo (2026), dedicated to inspiring future generations.