I graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Statistics. This was during the recession of 2008 which made it difficult to find a job right out of college. I decided to supplement my knowledge of data collection and management by obtaining an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Geospatial Technology from CPCC which kickstarted my professional career in GIS. I worked for several engineering firms mapping utility networks until recently where I found an interest in Climate Change and other atmospheric phenomena. That’s when I decided to join the Climate Change and Society program at NC State. I grew up in a port town in Cuba and I am all too familiar with the devastating power of tropical storms. So I will be looking forward to learning about and most likely devoting my time to understanding how Climate Change will affect hurricanes in the Caribbean, what impacts it will have on small islands and coastal communities there, and what creative strategies can be developed to help mitigate those impacts.