Kelcie Chiquillo
Kelcie Chiquillo is a PhD candidate at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She uses pronouns she/her/hers/ella. Kelcie completed her B.S. in Marine Biology and Limnology with a Minor in Holistic Health at San Francisco State University. Her research focuses on marine conservation and invasive biology, specifically identifying the mechanisms that underlie invasion. She uses multidisciplinary techniques to understand the evolutionary and ecological dynamics that influence marine invasions to better inform management. As a certified scientific mentor and yoga instructor, she uses her extensive experience to guide, mentor, design and implement a deeper awareness, mindfulness of inclusivity in her workplace and community. She feels a deep connection with the ocean and its inhabitants, and feels it is imperative to increase the number of women and diversity of people who interact with the ocean, so that they will better understand the critical importance of this expansive ecosystem. She is a woman of color (WOC) in academia and STEM, and has felt pressure of racial microaggressions, white supremacy culture, and interwoven oppression. As a co-founder of A WOC Space, LLC, she feels by making a safe and inclusive workplace for WOC scientists it will shape the cultural climate of the academic workforce. Ultimately, create a shift in the workspace to enable a positive, productive and friendly environment for all people.