Carolina Ocean Odyssey Marine Educator 

Ella Hartenberg

Ella was born and raised in Upstate New York, where she spent her summers exploring the eastern coastline with her family and enjoying time at her cabin on Paradox Lake. Her love for marine biology and environmental conservation began in high school through experiences traveling to places like Hawaii and spending a year abroad in Australia.

Graduating from Stony Brook University with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Vertebrate Biology, Ella plans to continue her education in graduate school, specializing in marine ecology and conservation. During her time at Stony Brook, she participated in hands-on field courses studying Long Island’s diverse marine habitats and offshore ecosystems.

Outside of academics, Ella loves spending time doing outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and scuba diving. Last summer, she worked at a scuba dive shop, where she expanded both her diving skills and marine knowledge. Additionally, she has previous camp experience as a water ski instructor and lifeguard. Other than marine biology, Ella’s favorite thing in the entire world is playing Ultimate Frisbee.