Dayna De La Cruz

Hello! My name is Dayna De La Cruz, and I am currently a first-generation college senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Global Portuguese Studies. Although I have been living in a city (Houston, Texas) for most of my life, I am pursuing a career as a field researcher and have had several seasons at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, Harvard Forest and abroad in Peru through the School for Field Studies. I feel extremely blessed to already be involved in my dream job and plan on earning a Ph.D. in ecology. Not only do I gain amazing knowledge as a field worker, but am out in nature for most of it! I am passionate about science inclusivity and have opened up a scientific Instagram (@data_dayna) where I make my research understandable to wide audiences. Please feel free to follow and interact! I enjoy a good hike as it is a perfect way to explore the natural beauty around Texas. My favorite thing to do at Wellesley is to hammock in front of the lake while listening to music, eating fruit and doing work. I am participating in the Paulson Initiative Internship because I want to continue growing my relationship with nature. I believe this amazing organization truly has the ability of turning the campus (or any surrounding) into a living laboratory.