
The District extends a warm congratulations to Natalia López Figueroa on earning her doctorate in Biological Oceanography from the University of South Florida. Natalia has made significant contributions to her community, particularly through her role as Chair of the Junior Scientist Program at the St. Pete Science Festival. We look forward to seeing her continued success.

October always feels like conference season — a time when professionals from around the world gather to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen collaborations. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the OCEANS 2025 Conference in Chicago, a global gathering for those advancing ocean science and maritime technology.