Mya is a recent graduate of Georgetown University, where she earned an M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management. She also holds a B.A. in Environmental Science with a minor in Sociology from Skidmore College. Mya's academic and research background is in forestry, marine ecology, and environmental and invasive species management. During her time at Georgetown, Mya worked as a Research Fellow with the Global Cities Initiative and the D.C. Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency, where she contributed to the development of the District's third triennial climate change report for Mayor Muriel Bowser. As an undergraduate, she worked in Skidmore's Office of Sustainability, gaining early experience in stakeholder engagement through campus-wide initiatives and community-focused environmental projects. As a Fulbright Fellow, Mya will partner with the University of Crete and the EU-funded LIFE Phoenix program to study the red palm weevil, an invasive insect threatening the Cretan date palm (Phoenix theophrasti), a historically important and ecologically significant species found almost exclusively on the island. Her research will involve mapping current infestations, assessing ecological and economic risks associated with palm loss, and collaborating with Greek researchers and land managers to develop site-specific management strategies that blend scientific and local knowledge. Outside of research, Mya is a PADI Divemaster and former collegiate coxswain. She enjoys vegetarian cooking, exploring coastal ecosystems, and has recently taken up cycling, an interest she hopes to continue while in Crete. Mya is eager to immerse herself in Greek culture, strengthen her language skills, and contribute to the conservation of a species that represents both ecological heritage and Mediterranean identity.