Karla Giselle Alcaraz

Karla Giselle Alcaraz has a diverse work experience in various roles and industries. Karla Giselle worked as a Biologist and Environmental Intern at Environmental Science Associates, where they assisted in biological surveys and monitoring for various species and utilized GIS mapping and data collection applications. Karla Giselle also consolidated plant species for a baseline biodiversity report. Karla worked as a Companion Caregiver at Maxim Healthcare Group and as an Animal Educator Intern at Zovargo, where they facilitated educational programs and performed animal husbandry tasks. At Ocean Discovery Institute, they served as an Instructor, leading and supporting summer camps for students and engaging them in activities such as shark dissections. As an AmeriCorps Discovery Fellow at Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, Karla delivered STEM and conservation lessons to students at the Ocean Discovery Institute Living Lab. Karla Giselle also worked as a Teachers' Aide & Substitute Teacher at Lanterns Global, engaging students in marine biology lessons and activities. Karla was a Program Assistant and Undergraduate Research Scholar at SDSU Pre-College Institute, where they maintained student documents, conducted research, and performed qualitative inquiry. Karla Giselle also worked as a Research Assistant in Marine Community Ecology at SDSU Research Foundation, assisting with field surveys and vegetation density estimation. Karla's research experience includes roles as an Undergraduate Research Scholar in Marine Conservation Ecology, Marine Ecophysiology and Biomechanics, and Faculty-Student Mentoring Program at San Diego State University, where they conducted various experiments and collected data. Karla Giselle also worked as a Mathematics Tutor, providing individual and group tutoring to middle school students. Additionally, Karla was a Student Entrepreneur at SDSU | ZIP Launchpad, contributing to business development and participating in startup exhibitions and events.

Karla Giselle Alcaraz completed their high school education at Westminster High School from 2012-2016, earning a High School Diploma. Karla Giselle then pursued a Bachelor's in Biology (Emphasis in Marine Biology) with a Minor in Spanish at San Diego State University from 2016-2021.

In addition to their formal education, Karla has also obtained various certifications. In April 2021, they completed certifications in Excel: Tracking Data Easily and Efficiently, Learning Canva, and Marketing Tools: Social Media from LinkedIn. Karla Giselle also obtained certifications in Researchers Using Animal Subjects and Conflict of Interest Only from the CITI Program, A Division of BRANY in April 2021 and September 2020, respectively. Furthermore, Karla acquired the Defensive Driving for Construction certification from ClickSafety in May 2022 and the Adult, Child, Infant CPR-AED & First Aid certification from AMERIMED CPR TRAINING, INC. in November 2020.