Ella Alfaro Campbell

Biography

I am an undergraduate researcher in the Hofmann Lab, where I study the effects of marine heatwaves on giant kelp reproduction and sea urchin physiology. I am a Marine Science major in the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara, and I am broadly interested in how climate change impacts marine ecosystems, particularly along the California coast. Currently, I am working with graduate student Alitzel Villanueva to investigate how marine heatwaves affect the reproductive stages of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera). This research is supported by funding from the UCSB Coastal Fund, which enables my work both in the lab and the field. I am also a certified scientific diver and Bentson Scholar, allowing me to contribute to underwater fieldwork and directly engage with the systems I study.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy surfing, scuba diving, and free diving, which are activities that continue to deepen my connection to the ocean. My long-term goal is to pursue graduate studies and build a career in marine science, with a focus on understanding and protecting coastal ecosystems in a changing climate.