Cindy Vargas, PhD Candidate

Cindy Vargas, a first-generation college student, completed her undergraduate degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology, and is now pursuing a PhD in Environmental Life Sciences at Arizona State University. Her doctoral research will focus on studying bycatch reduction innovations for gillnet fisheries and the human dimensions of bycatch reduction participation and adoption along the Pacific and Gulf of California coasts of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Cindy has also been actively involved in biology education research investigating undergraduate research experiences and mental health in online education. After graduate school, she intends to teach biology and conservation courses at the community college level.