jaaziel.garcia [at] upr dot edu

Jaaziel E. García-Hernández

Jaaziel E. Garcia-Hernandez (B.S. Marine Science - University of Hawaii at Hilo & M.S. Biology - University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez) is an aspiring marine sponge taxonomist and ecologist. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree at the University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez (UPRM), working under Dr. Nikolaos Schizas (Department of Marine Sciences). Jaaziel's Masters thesis focused on the diversity of calcareous sponges from shallow and mesophotic coral reefs off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico.

Jaaziel is an active AAUS scientific diver for UPRM-Marine Science Department, this gives him the opportunity to assist in various research projects outside his own. His passion for the underwater world does not lay solely on marine sponges, he also has a passion for underwater photography/videography, underwater exploration, and underwater archaeology.