Paola Santini Dosal
Undergraduate Student
Contact
Paola Santini Dosal
Undergraduate Student
(689)200-0321
Marine Biology
University of Central Florida
Paola Santini Dosal is a passionate marine biologist from Puerto Rico, currently studying Marine Biology with a minor in Political Science. Her journey in the field of marine sciences is marked by significant achievements and a deep commitment to both research and community service.
After moving to Florida at 16 for better educational opportunities, Paola faced and overcame numerous challenges, including discouragement due to her accent. Despite this, she graduated from Valencia College in Spring 2024 with an Associate of Arts, earning the highest Honors distinction and multiple awards such as Puma of the Year and Honors College Scholar Distinction. Her hard work and dedication also led her to become one of fifteen NOAA EPP/MSI Scholars for 2024, selected from a pool of 4,000+ applicants. This prestigious scholarship has given her the chance to intern at NOAA Headquarters and further her research in marine sciences.
At the University of Central Florida (UCF), Paola is actively involved in the MEC Lab, where she studies shifts in fish species along the East Coast. She has also worked on assessing the health of Amazonian dolphins using drone technology and investigating the impact of sea level rise in Miami and Ocean Park Beach, Puerto Rico as a collaboration with NOAA's Coastal Ocean Reanalysis (CORA) project aimed to educate the public about coastal changes and their effects.
Paola's dedication extends beyond her academic and research pursuits. She is committed to giving back to the Central Florida community, evidenced by her volunteer work with the Adult Literacy League, where she teaches English to adult learners. Her journey reflects resilience, determination, and a profound passion for marine conservation.
Through her work, Paola aims to advance scientific knowledge and inspire future generations about the importance of preserving marine ecosystems. While still an undergraduate, her story is one of perseverance and admiration.
After moving to Florida at 16 for better educational opportunities, Paola faced and overcame numerous challenges, including discouragement due to her accent. Despite this, she graduated from Valencia College in Spring 2024 with an Associate of Arts, earning the highest Honors distinction and multiple awards such as Puma of the Year and Honors College Scholar Distinction. Her hard work and dedication also led her to become one of fifteen NOAA EPP/MSI Scholars for 2024, selected from a pool of 4,000+ applicants. This prestigious scholarship has given her the chance to intern at NOAA Headquarters and further her research in marine sciences.
At the University of Central Florida (UCF), Paola is actively involved in the MEC Lab, where she studies shifts in fish species along the East Coast. She has also worked on assessing the health of Amazonian dolphins using drone technology and investigating the impact of sea level rise in Miami and Ocean Park Beach, Puerto Rico as a collaboration with NOAA's Coastal Ocean Reanalysis (CORA) project aimed to educate the public about coastal changes and their effects.
Paola's dedication extends beyond her academic and research pursuits. She is committed to giving back to the Central Florida community, evidenced by her volunteer work with the Adult Literacy League, where she teaches English to adult learners. Her journey reflects resilience, determination, and a profound passion for marine conservation.
Through her work, Paola aims to advance scientific knowledge and inspire future generations about the importance of preserving marine ecosystems. While still an undergraduate, her story is one of perseverance and admiration.
