Mia Avril

Background

About Mia Avril

I have always had a love for the ocean and the environment. Growing up on an Island, they were vital components of my reality and shaped how I experienced the world from a young age. As a result, it was only natural that I pursued a career in Environmental and resource management with appearances by Marine Biology. My initial research involved modelling the impacts of projected changes in climate on forests in St. Lucia and the resulting influence on endemic fauna. This project was conceptualized to help determine the influences of climate change on the economies of Caribbean islands, with St. Lucia being the model tourism-based economy and regarding forests as a tourism product. I have always had an uncanny interest in fish. This ultimately led me to pursuing degrees in marine science and finally specializing in aquaculture. My research involved the building and running of a simplified aquaponics system requiring minimal capital for setup. This project was in response to requests from the governments of Pacific Island Countries to address food security concerns. I am passionate about increasing the capacity of developing countries and making them more resilient in the face of climate change and other similar threats. When I’m not dreaming about saving the developing world, I enjoy experiencing new cultures, meeting new people and embarking on adventures. While I am typically drawn to the outdoors, I do enjoy a good book or movie.