Lillian Engelhard is a New Jersey native whose love for the ocean began with summer trips to the Jersey shore. After becoming scuba certified and experiencing a life-changing manta ray encounter, she decided to pursue a career in marine biology at the University of Miami (UM).
During her time at UM, she was a volunteer research assistant with the UM Protist Prophets, a laboratory studying Foraminifera as bioindicators of coral reef health. She graduated in May 2023 with a double Bachelor of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Marine Science and Biology. Early in her undergraduate career, Lillian realized her passion for ocean conservation. Her experience working with children as a swim instructor helped her understand the importance of educating future generations about how we can protect the oceans.
This passion led her to join The International SeaKeepers Society as a Community Engagement Associate, where she organized and led beach, park, kayak, snorkel, and dive cleanups across South Florida. Today, as Community Engagement Manager, she continues to expand these efforts, inspiring volunteers to take action in keeping our oceans debris-free. Lillian is also a certified SEAFAN BleachWatch instructor, equipping divers with the knowledge to identify and report coral bleaching and disease to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.