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Destiny Coleman

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Bio

I am Destiny Coleman, a highly motivated individual driven by a passion for science. I study environmental science as an undergrad at Florida A&M University. I have interests in environmental science, marine science, and sustainability-related learning and research opportunities. I am looking to further expand my knowledge in these areas and broaden my contributions to the field(s).

Education

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Bachelor's degree program
2020 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Environmental Geosciences

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      marine science

    • Dream career goals:

    • Intern

      University of Maryland Eastern Shore
      2020 – 2020
    • Program Participant

      Black In Marine Science
      2022 – 2022
    • Mentor

      Florida A&M University, Program of Excellence
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Intern

      Department of Energy
      2021 – 2021
    • Guest Programs Specialist

      Georgia Aquarium
      2019 – 2019
    • Intern

      Florida A&M University
      2020 – Present4 years

    Research

    • Environmental Monitoring

      Department of Energy — Intern
      2021 – 2021
    • Bioremediation

      Florida A&M University — Intern
      2023 – Present
    • Microbiology

      National Science Foundation — Intern
      2020 – 2023

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Debris-Free Ocean — Trash pick up
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Kearney Center — food distributor
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Tallahassee Memorial Hospital — Child Engagement
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      MUVE — Plant new sea oats and remove invasive weeds
      2022 – 2022
    • Advocacy

      Be The Match — Recruitment
      2022 – Present
    • Volunteering

      SISTUHS Inc. — donations collector
      2022 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Rescue a Reef
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Second Harvest — Food Sorter
      2022 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    She Rose in STEAM Scholarship
    When I graduate from Florida A&M University, I will join the 1.3% of Black environmental scientists and 1.6% of Black marine scientists operating in the United States workforce. Throughout my career as a blooming environmentalist and marine scientist, I have focused on the concepts of ecology, conservation, environmental health, and research. These aspects of nature contribute to the fact that there are no unimportant roles in the environment. Everything cooperates to keep the Earth, atmosphere, water bodies, geological processes, and chemical functions of the planet in balance. Human health and homeostasis are closely related to environmental health because if we do not have a healthy planet then we do not have healthy resources and in turn, our health has risk of being compromised through pollution and lack of resources. I will utilize my education and experiences to improve the health of minorities in my community by advocating for and creating a healthy environment. I have previously researched water quality and river sediments to determine what major elements are affecting the resources in the Savannah, Georgia area. I have also dedicated my time to a bioremediation project involving the use of bioluminescent bacteria to detect heavy metals like mercury in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. Other research that I have completed has included examination of Apalachicola Bay oyster genes in Tallahassee, Florida. Oysters are crucial filtering species and work to cycle nutrients in major estuary and saline environments. My background experience in research has involved detection, monitoring, and management of natural resources. Without these processes and resources, human health would be at risk. Communities are often built around water bodies, agricultural land, and nutrient-rich ecosystems that citizens of the area are dependent on. As an environmentalist, it is my job to observe the community, locate any issues, experiment, and implement conclusive methods back into the environment. As a Black woman minority who is also a minority in her desired career field, I feel as though I have a personal duty to give back to my community. African-Americans and other People of Color have been historically disenfranchised and under-served and our health has not been prioritized. My plan to change this is to target minority communities and work closely with them so that they better understand ecological processes and can take it upon themselves to move with intent and take care of their environment. I will empower minorities to first educate themselves and then use that knowledge to personally contribute to issues like air pollution, water pollution, conservation, and restoration of resources. Contribution can be making sustainable changes in your daily routine or possibly doing more to advocate to politicians to make changes in your own area. Fixing environmental issues in their area will directly correlate to overall health of nature, organisms, and people that are part of the ecosystem.