My name is Lauren and I’m an Open Water SCUBA instructor and marine biologist working with marine debris. I grew up by the ocean, with my mom being a SCUBA instructor back in the day, so diving was always a part of my life. However, it took on a new meaning to me when I had the opportunity to do diving research on coral and parrotfish in the Florida Keys for several years with Clemson University. When I left that to pursue my Master’s in Marine Science at Hawaii Pacific University, I knew I had to keep diving. That’s when I decided to become a SCUBA instructor. Through this, under the amazing guidance of Larry Grayson, I discovered I have a deep love for teaching people about diving and showing them the ocean for the first time. It’s such a joy to take people out on the water and share my love of the ocean with others.