About Me
I am a PhD Candidate at the University of California, Merced, and an NSF GRFP Fellow. My research focuses on harnessing the power of microbes to enhance growth and sequester carbon in marine ecosystems such as seagrasses, mangroves, and corals. I hold an MSc in Quantitative and Systems Biology from the University of California, Merced, and a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Biotechnology from Miami Dade College. Before transitioning to marine microbial ecology, I worked as a fashion designer.
Outside of the lab, you can find me in the wild—camping, hiking, scuba diving, biking, surfing, or snowboarding. I am passionate about microbial metabolisms and their transformative impact on ecosystems.
email: dbrache-smith@ucmerced.edu