Chef Andrew Scholar Program

Bethany is a Master of Professional Science student studying Tropical Marine Ecosystems at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. She is originally from Cleveland, Ohio but found herself drawn to South Florida after visiting the area on a class trip in undergraduate school at the University of Mount Union. Bethany has been dedicated to protecting the oceans from marine debris pollution and began her efforts doing small cleanups on Lake Erie. With her continuing education in marine ecosystems, she is eager to promote sustainability in classrooms, the field, and businesses in the area.

Alyssa was born and raised in Oregon, Ohio. She is a masters student at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences with a concentration in Marine Conservation. In addition to hosting cleanups and delivering presentations, Alyssa will be evaluating the effectiveness of these programs. As a part of her master’s degree, Alyssa will also be surveying local marine debris leadership individuals with the hopes to evaluate the impact and reach of community cleanups in Miami-Dade County, representation in environmental conservation, as well as areas of improvement. After graduation, she plans on moving back to Ohio for a little, while searching for an environmental outreach and education job that allows her to continue to spread awareness about impacts on our oceans.

Kevin Oakley is a junior at The University of Miami and was born and raised in Washington DC. He studies Environmental Science and Policy as well as Business Sustainability. Kevin strives to uphold his sustainable values across all aspects of his life. As the sustainability chair of his fraternity, he has implemented programs and initiatives that have nearly eliminated their use of disposable plastic cups; and this is just the start of his plans. He is so grateful to be working for Debris Free Oceans so he can extend his passion for the environment to local students and the surrounding community.

Amanda Di Perna is a junior at Florida International University (FIU) majoring in marine biology. Amanda has been researching plastic pollution for two years, and has conducted extensive work on the issue, such as leading several cleanups and demanding legislative change. She is the president of the Green Campus Initiative, an Honors organization at FIU currently focused on reducing single-use plastic on the state and campus level, as well as the outreach director for the Surfrider Foundation FIU club. Amanda has now joined the Debris Free Oceans team as a Chef Andrew Scholar, and strives to continue to fight against plastic for the sake of our beautiful oceans and the lives that depend on them.

Sofia was born and raised in Miami, FL to Cuban parents and is a first generation college student. She is a Senior and Hammond Scholar at the University of Miami, graduating with a double major in English, and Ecosystem Science and Policy. At UM, Sofia has served as the Chair of Student Government’s environmental agency ECO and as the Founding Sustainability Director at the free pop-up thrift swap, UThrift. After graduation, she plans on attending Law School and pursuing a career supporting environmental law and policy that protects both people and the planet.

Haley is a sophomore at the University of Miami, majoring in marine affairs and political science. She is a member of the ECO Agency, sits on the E-board of Ocean Awareness Week, and mentors first-year students in the honors program. She can be found at the beach, gym, or doing work outside on a nice day in her free time. Originally from California, with Caribbean roots, she has a love for marine life and a deep passion for environmental justice. After college, Haley plans to go to law school and eventually create legislation to protect the oceans and prevent minority communities from the dangers of pollution.

Esther was born and raised in Miami, FL, to an Accountant and Math Professor and somehow still came out terrible at math. I’m a junior at the University of Miami studying Ecosystem Science and Policy with minors in Sustainable Business and Spanish. On-campus, Esther uses her position as Philanthropy Chair of her sorority and Service Chair of AGLO (Associated Greek Letter Organizations) to educate people on critical environmental issues and organize cleanups for DFO. Off-campus, Esther works with DFO as much as she can and is always trying to further educate herself and others around her.

Lizzie grew up in Miami, Florida and attended Florida International University majoring in Psychology and minoring in film photography. She studied at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff for a year, where she took courses on environmental psychology, studying the relationship between the environment and the individual. She is passionate about nature, psychology, and philosophy, and hopes to be an influence in uniting those in order to better the state of the planet. In her free time she can be found tending to her plants and garden, biking, shooting photos, and spending time in nature.