Alberto Rivera, MSc, and first year PhD student studied larval thermal tolerance and oxygen respiration at the University of San Diego. After studying at Tufts University, Alberto worked as a lead educator in Los Angeles and New York City helping students from underserved communities get into great high schools. Now, he helps lead the Conservation Leadership Program (supported by the California Natural Resources Agency) and pivoted to marine ecological theory research for his PhD. Alberto lives by a mantra to always have purpose beyond oneself.