Aquarium of the Pacific Announces Recipients of Its 2026 CELP Scholar Program

March 16, 2026

The Aquarium of the Pacific is announcing the recipients of its third Community, Equity, Learning, and Persistence (CELP) Scholar Program. Fifteen students studying fields related to the ocean at Southern California higher education institutions have been awarded $10,000 each to support their academic pursuits. The CELP Scholar Program seeks to broaden participation in marine sciences, help more students find their own community in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and support students' persistence in the field. With this program, the Aquarium looks to bring a greater variety of lived experiences to the challenge of ensuring a healthy and sustainable ocean for everyone.

"We are excited and proud to welcome these fifteen students to our growing CELP Scholar family. The program not only provides financial support but also allows each student the opportunity to make valuable connections with Aquarium staff and explore career paths in marine science," said Jeff Flocken, Aquarium of the Pacific president and CEO.

The 2026 CELP Scholar cohort includes two students from community college, seven undergraduates from four-year programs, four master's degree students, and two PhD students representing nine different schools in Southern California. Sixty-six percent of the recipients are the first in their family to attend college, and fifty-three percent are Pell Grant recipients. Scholars participate in a wide range of engagement opportunities curated by the Aquarium. Individuals receive one-on-one engagement with Aquarium staff to explore career paths and support their personal growth. As a group, CELP Scholars participate in community building events and development sessions. They join a growing community of peers in marine-related fields of study who can support, uplift, and learn from each other.

"The CELP community amplifies the voices of so many people with different paths and stories that many don't get to hear often. Through it, I feel less alone in my journey and encouraged to continue through the hard times," said Amarie Strong, a 2025 CELP Scholar. "My presence, and the presence of the other CELP Scholars alone has already made significant changes to the future of the field."

Award recipient selection was informed by a committee of Aquarium staff, scholar alumni, and members of the community. You can hear from this year's scholars by watching the video on the Aquarium's website. Those interested in applying for the fourth year of the CELP Scholar Program can visit the Aquarium's website in the fall 2026. For additional information about eligibility and the application process, please visit the Aquarium's CELP Scholar Program webpage.

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Recipients of the Aquarium of the Pacific's 2026 CELP Scholar Program

Angelica Chavez is a third-year undergraduate studying ecology and environmental biology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she recently joined the Sanchez Ecology Lab. As part of the lab, Chavez is learning to conduct research, as she supports the investigation of various bird species in urban environments. Chavez is passionate about environmental education and is interested in how applied science can be used in formal classroom settings. She credits a former teacher for believing in her and encouraging her to pursue STEM. She looks forward to doing the same for her future students as a middle-school teacher.

Camille Jones is a graduate student at California State University, Northridge pursuing a master's degree in marine biology. Her research investigates the effects of anthropogenic stressors on nearshore fish nursery habitats in Mo'orea, near Tahiti. She looks forward to exploring the Aquarium's community science programs and education initiatives that increase student access to STEM. In the future, Jones hopes to collaborate with Tribal partners on ecological research and outreach that inspires stewardship of nature.

Clara Abundio Castillo is a graduate student at the University of California, Irvine pursuing a master's degree in conservation and restoration science. In her master's program, she studies plant ecology and habitat restoration. Castillo is a proud member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM (SACNAS) and looks forward to bringing their supportive community culture to CELP. She is excited to explore conservation roles and strategies in an aquarium setting, advance her dive training, and adapt her science communication to the public.

Crystal Barajas will be finishing her master's degree in biology in fall 2026 at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she will then start her PhD. Her research uses environmental DNA to measure biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Barajas is a founding member of Latinas in Marine and Aquatic Sciences (LIMAS), an organization that aims to build an inclusive and supportive community that expands access to mentorship, research experiences, and professional development for Latinas in marine and aquatic sciences. She looks forward to exploring Aquarium initiatives that serve Spanish-speaking communities. In the future, she hopes to partner with community scientists and use traditional ecological knowledge to build climate change mitigation strategies in historically marginalized communities.

Erika Johnston is a fourth-year undergraduate studying biology at Citrus College, where she is part of the Bridge to Geosciences and TRIO STEM communities. Johnston is interested in exploring Aquarium roles in animal care, conservation, and rehabilitation during her time as a CELP Scholar. As a first-generation college student, Johnston hopes to inspire environmental responsibility in her community. She looks forward to connecting with fellow scholars as they support each other's growth.

Faizah Hossain is a third-year undergraduate studying organismal biology at California State University, Long Beach where she is the president of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics student council and of the Pre-Veterinary and Zoology Conservation Club. Hossain is part of the BREE Lab at CSULB, researching herpetofauna. She has multiple volunteer experiences, including her current role with the Aquarium's bird, amphibian, and mammal team. As a Bengali woman, Hossain aims to increase the representation of South-Asian women in STEM for future young scientists. She hopes to pursue a career in veterinary care and conservation.

Faria Rashid Upama is a first-year undergraduate at the University of California, Los Angeles majoring in environmental science, with a focus in atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and minoring in creative writing. Upama is thrilled to learn about careers intertwining earth systems and environmental justice, grow her science communication skills, and bond with fellow scholars at the Aquarium. Inspired by her Bangladeshi family in East L.A., she is passionate about re-connecting marginalized communities to their rich history with the natural world. Upama aims to inspire youth in inner-city communities to ensure they, too, can see themselves as future scientists.

Jordan James Bond is a graduate student at the University of California, Irvine, pursuing a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology. James Bond is a proud member of Black in Marine Science (BIMS) and Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science (BWEEMS), and looks forward to fostering peer-to-peer mentorship within the CELP Scholar community. She's interested in learning about the Aquarium's outreach initiatives and contributing her research skills and life experience towards creating inclusive STEM spaces. In the future, James Bond hopes to mentor the next generation of scientists and inspire environmental responsibility in the community.

Julianna Colucci is pursuing a master's degree in biology at California State University, Fullerton, where she is president of the school's biology graduate student club and secretary of their SACNAS chapter. Her thesis investigates oyster shell dissolution under environmental stress in Southern California estuaries to inform coastal restoration efforts. Colucci is interested in learning how her research experience can be applied to conservation roles at the Aquarium. She looks forward to her growth as a mentor in the scholar community and a future career in restoration management.

Katy Perez is a third-year undergraduate at California State University, Long Beach studying marine biology. Perez is a research and outreach volunteer with the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro and enjoys combining art and science to support conservation. She's interested in learning about conservation roles that work with endangered species at the Aquarium. In the future, Perez hopes to study cetacean social behavior to inform practices used with animals under human care.

Liz Garcia is a third-year undergraduate studying environmental biology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she works as a research assistant in two different labs. Since some of her lab work is terrestrial, she is interested in gaining more experience in marine ecology and looks forward to meeting Aquarium staff who work in conservation and education. As a CELP Scholar, Garcia is excited to connect with others in her cohort to build a new STEM community. Her previous experiences as an environmental educator and a teacher's assistant contribute to her hopes of pursuing a PhD in the future.

Maria Teresa Rodriguez Rivera is a second-year undergraduate studying biology at San Diego Mesa College, where she is captain of the dive team. She will transfer to the University of San Diego in fall 2026. Rodriguez Rivera is doing a research program in the Fish Evolution Lab at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography studying behavior and evolution of the blind goby. As a CELP Scholar, she's interested in exploring career paths that support animal conservation and meeting members of the Aquarium's veterinary team. In the future, Rodriguez Rivera hopes for a career that protects animals, restores habitats, and increases community-wide sustainability practices.

Mia Martinez is a second-year undergraduate studying marine biology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She looks forward to reconnecting with the Aquarium after her previous experience while in high school as a VolunTEEN, which solidified her interest in pursuing marine science in college. Martinez is passionate about sharing her own lived experiences, so other underrepresented scientists feel less alone in the field. She's eager to learn from scholar alumni who share her background and interests. In the future, she hopes to work in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.

Robert J. Dellinger is pursuing a PhD in atmospheric and oceanic science at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he researches the physical and social drivers of environmental change. He is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and is the co-founder of Climate Futures Studio and co-president of the Radical Imagination Club. Motivated by his Latinidad and queer identity, Dellinger is committed to building more accessible, inclusive pathways into science and strengthening community-centered STEM spaces. In the future, he hopes to become a professor who dismantles systemic barriers and increases representation for future generations of scientists.

Sandra Gomez is a second-year undergraduate at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, studying biology. She's excited to build her confidence, gain hands-on skills as a scientist, and identify career paths that maximize her impact on environmental protection. As a first-generation woman in STEM, Gomez is motivated to build a community that provides a necessary support system for those that need it. She is interested in microscopic marine life and looks forward to exploring conservation and sustainability roles as a CELP Scholar.