Allison Cusick is an advanced doctoral student in the Biological Oceanography program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, California. While completing the Master of Advanced Studies Program in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, also at Scripps, Cusick developed the citizen science project called FjordPhyto to crowdsource data collected by polar guides and travelers, which was then transmitted back to the Vernet Lab in San Diego for examination. This boon in data gathered by citizen scientists has contributed significantly to Cusick’s research, which seeks to better understand how melting glaciers influence phytoplankton communities. She is an ardent advocate for connecting people to the wonders of science via her outreach blog Woman Scientist, which she hopes will inspire women to pursue careers in science. Allison recently became a certified polar guide with more than 215 days spent on board ships in Antarctica. She’s also a certified PADI/NAUI Rescue Diver and AAUS Scientific Diver.