My name is Xinara Bascombe, and I am a 22-year-old Barbadian with a passion for science, environmental sustainability, and ocean research. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil with Environmental Engineering from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. During my studies, I realized that my interests extended beyond traditional civil engineering and were more closely aligned with understanding and protecting the natural environment. This led me to develop a strong interest in coastal engineering and ultimately sparked my passion for ocean science. Motivated by this interest, I became a member of the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council, where I gained valuable experience in ocean advocacy and youth engagement. To further connect with the marine environment, I earned my Open Water Diver certification and pursued opportunities to expand my knowledge of the ocean. I later joined the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in Barbados as an intern, where I was introduced to ocean data science and gained hands-on experience working with marine and environmental datasets as well as underwater technological systems. This experience solidified my desire to pursue a career in oceanography. Currently, I focus on physical oceanography, particularly the analysis of ocean glider data to improve understanding of ocean processes relevant to hurricane forecasting. I am also interested in exploring biological oceanography and opportunities that integrate both disciplines. My long-term goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in Oceanography or Marine Science and contribute to advancing ocean research and environmental resilience especially in the Caribbean region.
