Our Interns

  • ORAI’s reef monitoring program was developed to evaluate the comparison between natural and artificial reefs over time and to demonstrate the ecological, economical, and cultural benefits of the artistically designed, snorkel-friendly artificial reef modules off Hollywood Beach, FL. The monitoring team will be analyzing scientific parameters such as fish & benthic recruitment, biodiversity, usage, and health at the reefs. This project also aims to integrate photogrammetry into ORAI’s artificial reef monitoring program as a complementary method to traditional ecological survey techniques. By collaborating with the monitoring team lead, we are assessing the utility of 3D structure-from-motion (SfM) models for detecting coral recruitment, measuring surface complexity, and quantifying ecological change over time. These models will be used to compare artificial reef development to nearby natural reef baselines, enhancing both spatial resolution and temporal tracking of reef trajectories.

    Throughout the monitoring process, the use of field validation, scale testing, and repeat imagery collections will be conducted to ensure methodological reliability and comparability with linear transects and quadrat-based surveys on adjacent natural reefs at north and south Hollywood Beach sites. Simultaneously, the team will be initiating a peer-reviewed literature publication that critically evaluates recent scientific literature, contextualizes ORAI’s innovation, and contributes to advancing best practices for using digital modeling in reef restoration science.

Ecology Interns

  • Lead Scientist, Ecology | Florida

    Michelle Baptist is ORAI’s Lead Scientist, based in Miami, FL. She has been working to build ORAI’s artificial reef monitoring program by carrying out scientific research and leading dive operations in the field in partnership with The International SeaKeepers. Her background specializes in coral reef ecology, science communication, and protected marine resource management. She received her Master of Professional Science (MPS) degree in marine conservation from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School and her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a concentration in advocacy and minor in marine studies from the University of Delaware. Her Master’s work in collaboration with NOAA AOML’s Experimental Reef Lab focused on confirmed Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) transmission in ballast water. After graduate school, Michelle worked from 2022-2024 as a Reef Injury Prevention and Response Specialist at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She focused on coral reef injury assessments, completed coral surveys as a scientific diver, and promoted safe anchoring practices through local outreach to fishing and boating stakeholders in Southeast Florida. Michelle has also worked internationally as a Marine Analyst onboard a research cruise in the Red Sea to conduct coral identification and benthic surveys using glider technology. In addition to ORAI, she currently creates digital coral conservation and Reefbites blog content as a member of the International Coral Reef Society Student and Early Career Chapter (ICRS-SECC). She is most interested in marine science and policy, coral restoration, and climate justice!

  • Intern, Ecology | Florida

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  • Intern, Ecology | Cuba

    Asiel Cabreta Guerrero is a specialist in marine interactions and marine habitat modeling (SDM with R), with expertise in quantitative ecology applied to Caribbean coastal ecosystem conservation. His research analyzes trophic dynamics and epiphytism, providing scientific foundations for coral, mangrove, and seagrass restoration. As a professor at Universidad de Oriente, his work focuses on scaling restoration solutions that connect communities with ocean conservation through interdisciplinary approaches.

Economics Interns

  • Lead Intern, Economics | Florida

    Emily Geier grew up near Chicago, Illinois and  earned her undergraduate degree in Marine Biology from the University of Oregon. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Professional Science in Marine Conservation at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. Her academic interests have included the study of marine invertebrates off the Oregon continental shelf and coral skeleton accretion. Currently, Emily is completing an internship with Ocean Rescue Alliance International where she is aiming to understand the economic impacts of artificial reefs off the coast of Hollywood, Florida.

  • Intern, Economics | Florida

    Elise Roman recently graduated from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science with a B.A. in Marine Affairs and Environmental Policy and Law. She currently works part-time at Charity Brands, a consulting firm where she leads efforts to identify and develop partnerships with environmentally focused companies. In this role, she supports corporate outreach and conducts targeted research to strengthen collaboration opportunities. With a long-standing passion for the ocean—shaped by years of sailing and scuba diving—Elise plans to pursue a career in environmental law. She hopes to use policy and advocacy to drive meaningful change in ocean conservation and environmental sustainability.

  • Intern, Economics | Europe & Massachusetts

    Carolina Sanctis is a rising junior at Boston University majoring in Economics and Environmental Analysis and Policy. She is passionate about environmental and development economics, with a particular interest in creating sustainable, data-driven solutions to global challenges. Her academic and professional experiences reflect a deep commitment to using economics as a tool for social and environmental impact.

    Carolina has previously worked in impact investing and finance, where she helped evaluate mission-driven ventures and supported strategies that balance profitability with measurable positive outcomes. She currently serves as a research assistant for a study affiliated with the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), where she contributes to empirical research on patterns of economic growth in Africa during the early 2000s. In addition, she is a peer tutor for the Economics of the Public Sector course at BU, helping fellow students engage with topics such as taxation, government spending, and public goods.

    At ORAI, Carolina is excited to bring her background in research, finance, and public economics to interdisciplinary projects that support equitable development and environmental resilience in communities around the world.

  • Intern, Economics | Virgina

    Litic Murali joins ORAI as a Social Scientist Intern, bringing a unique interdisciplinary background in ecological economics and quantitative policy analysis to the artificial reef value assessment project. Growing up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., he grew to appreciate the complex relationships between economic systems and environmental conservation, a parallel development to his mainstream economics formative education and training. This culminated in his recently completed Master of Science in Ecological Economics at the University of Leeds, where his dissertation research focused on fiscal mechanisms for protecting biodiversity against development pressures.

    Litic brings over six years of professional experience in economic analysis and policy research, having served as an Economist with the National Association of Home Builders, where his housing market analyses and commentary were cited by home building organizations and featured in local news outlets nationwide. He first realized his passion for regional economic analysis and impact assessment while working with the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, where he conducted pioneering input-output analysis modeling the economic transition of Virginia’s tobacco industry, contributing to understanding regional economic diversification strategies.

    As part of his graduate training in ecological economics, Litic has developed specialized expertise in system dynamics modeling of social-ecological systems, with particular focus on coastal fishery communities and their economic interactions. His dissertation research on land value taxation mechanisms for ecosystem service protection demonstrates his ability to bridge economic policy analysis with environmental conservation goals. He is skilled in advanced statistical analysis using STATA, Python, and Vensim, and has experience with survey design, environmental cost-benefit analysis, and environmentally-extended input-output modeling.

    Litic is excited to apply rigorous economic analysis to ecosystem services valuation and is particularly interested in how restoration projects like artificial reefs can generate measurable social and economic benefits for coastal communities. Through this internship, he aims to contribute to the growing scientific understanding of the economic and social value of marine restoration while developing expertise in coastal tourism economics and community impact assessment.

  • Intern, Economics | Columbia

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Hydrodynamics Interns

  • Lead Intern, Hydrodynamics | Rhode Island

    Ben grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and became interested in marine science through several trips to Shedd Aquarium and family vacations visiting the tide pools on Cape Cod beaches. After interning at the Shedd Aquarium’s Guest Engagement Department, he went on to study Marine Science and Biology at University of Miami, branching out with Meteorology and Computer Science minors. Immediately following graduation, Ben enrolled at LSU in a PhD program supervised by Dan Holstein. Ben’s dissertation focused on biophysical mechanisms surrounding coral larval retention, with the aim of better understanding population persistence among these threatened ecosystems. He became an expert in coral life history, improving our understanding of traits that lead to different dispersal strategies and ultimately successful recruitment, across a variety of reef environments. Using high resolution model domains and incorporating mesoscale phenomena such as eddy interactions, Ben has also gained insight on reef hydrodynamics and physical mechanisms acting on reef environments at multiple spatial scales. Since his PhD, Ben earned a federal role with the EPA modeling estuarine hydrodynamics and water quality, but the work was impacted by recent administrative changes. He is excited to contribute his reef expertise in a volunteer capacity as the Reef Hydrodynamics Team Lead to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of the recent ORAI artificial reef deployment. Through potential flume studies and modeling experiments, the team plans to optimize the design of future deployments to maximize coastal protection capabilities.

  • Intern, Hydrodynamics | Malaysia

    Mahidi Hossen Hannan is a dedicated researcher and Ph.D. candidate at Universiti Putra Malaysia, specialising in biodiversity and natural resource conservation. His doctoral research focuses on developing an interactive digital learning module aimed at enhancing public knowledge, attitudes, and awareness in Malaysia regarding the conservation and coexistence of three iconic yet threatened species: the Malayan tiger, Malayan tapir, and marine turtles. Deeply passionate about protecting marine ecosystems, Mahidi’s work particularly emphasises the Green Sea Turtle.

    Through science-based education and accessible digital platforms, he aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and community engagement, promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.

    His interdisciplinary approach blends environmental education, species conservation, and digital innovation to support Malaysia’s national conservation goals. With a strong academic foundation in zoology and professional experience as a biology educator, Mahidi is committed to inspiring a new generation of conservation-conscious citizens and advancing ecological sustainability through research, education, and outreach.

  • Intern, Hydrodynamics | Florida

    Ryan Robison was raised in Anchorage, Alaska, where his deep appreciation for nature began at an early age. Spending much of his time hiking and fishing with family, Ryan developed a strong connection to the natural world that later inspired his academic and professional journey. His travels to countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada further fueled his interest in the diverse ways ecosystems and scientific approaches differ across cultures.

    In May 2025, Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University. He is currently exploring graduate programs in Marine Science, with the goal of deepening his expertise in both aquatic and terrestrial ecology. His peers describe him as a compassionate, driven individual, and dedicated not only to scientific discovery but also to building meaningful connections within the scientific community.

    Ryan is passionate about understanding the global impact of ecological research and aspires to contribute meaningfully to the field through continued study and collaboration. With his strong academic foundation and a clear sense of purpose, he is committed to a career that bridges science, environmental stewardship, and international perspective.

Photogrammatry & Impact Reporting Interns

  • Lead Intern, Photogrammatry | Gibraltar

    Ayoub Laghmich is a marine science communicator and researcher, with an interdisciplinary background in marine biology, digital media, and environmental storytelling. He holds a BSc in Biology from Ankara University. Ayoub is currently completing an MSc in Marine Science and Climate Change at the University of Gibraltar, where his thesis explores the use of photogrammetry techniques, and the challenges scientists are facing with other parameters, including 3D modeling, for coral reef monitoring and science communication.

    Blending scientific research with creative tools such as interactive 3D platforms, Ayoub focuses on making marine conservation more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. At ORAI, his mission is the integration of photogrammetry into reef monitoring workflows and develops public-facing digital tools to enhance stakeholder engagement, environmental education, and reef restoration visibility.

  • Intern, Impact Reporting | Florida

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