Aaron Judah wanted to be a marine biologist from the time he was three. Two decades later, he’s a PhD candidate studying deep-sea biodiversity around the globe—and his journey began with an Earthwatch expedition in Belize. His mother, Terri, was so moved by the impact of that experience that she became a dedicated Earthwatch donor, determined to help other young people find their own life-changing moments in science.
A CHILDHOOD DREAM THAT NEVER FADED
When Terri Luvisotto’s son, Aaron, was three years old, he decided that he wanted to be a marine biologist. It was the kind of childhood declaration that often changes with the years, but Aaron’s never did. “Just about every essay he ever wrote as a kid had something to do with the ocean or marine conservation,” said Terri.
In high school, Aaron enrolled in an environmental science course taught by Ross Conrad. When Aaron mentioned his interest in marine biology and shark research, Mr. Conrad told him about a research team he had met while on vacation in Belize. The team—a combination of scientists and members of the public—had been part of the Earthwatch expedition Shark Conservation in Belize, led by Dr. Demian Chapman. They’d been tagging sharks and rays and deploying baited underwater cameras to monitor their presence and activity on the reef.
Aaron came home buzzing with excitement and shared the news with his mom, Terri. She quickly realized that Earthwatch could offer Aaron a rare early window into the life of a field scientist. “He could actually see what it’s like to be in the field and what scientists are doing firsthand,” she said.
That summer, between his junior and senior year, Aaron boarded a plane from Toronto to Belize to join the expedition.
AN EXPERIENCE THAT IGNITED A CAREER
Terri was optimistic that Aaron would enjoy his Earthwatch experience, but she was blown away by just how much it impacted him. “It ignited him,” said Terri. “I was really struck by it. And it was like a runaway train after that.”
In Belize, Aaron worked alongside fellow high school students and marine scientists, including Demian and Katie Flowers, tagging stingrays and reef sharks and deploying baited remote underwater video cameras. The data contributed to Global FinPrint, the world’s largest survey of reef sharks and rays.
One of Aaron’s favorite memories from his expedition was the moment he was asked to release an Atlantic chupare stingray that the team had tagged on the boat. “This thing was big, and I remember they said, ‘Okay, Aaron, get in the water.’ They lowered the stingray onto me so I could assist with the release,” said Aaron. “That was the moment that I thought, ‘Oh, this is insanely cool that I get to just hang out with this animal, just to hold it before it was ready for release.’”
His connection to science and the scientists didn’t end in Belize. After his expedition, Demian and Katie introduced Aaron to colleagues at Dalhousie University, including marine ecologist Dr. Aaron MacNeil, who ultimately became Aaron’s honors supervisor. Aaron went on to complete his honors thesis on reef shark ecology and marine protected areas, later sending it to Mr. Conrad, the teacher who had sparked his Earthwatch journey.
Today, Aaron is a PhD candidate in biological oceanography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he studies deep-sea biodiversity with National Geographic’s Pristine Seas program in places like Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tuvalu.
And through it all, Terri has been cheering him on.
PAYING IT FORWARD
After seeing Aaron’s transformation, Terri began donating to Earthwatch. For her, supporting Earthwatch is about more than funding research—it’s about igniting passion and fostering relationships.
She compares it to the work of great teachers. “Aaron’s experience and the people that he met—the scientists, participants and the environment itself—to be immersed in it for that period of time was like the world’s biggest real-life teacher,” she said. “It embodied all the great teachers Aaron had ever had who encouraged him to follow his dreams and make an impact.”
Terri’s appreciation for teachers runs deep—her mother was a teacher for 36 years, and Terri grew up watching the dedication and energy the job required. “When you have a child who has a passion for something, teachers are everything,” she said.
But she knows that for many students, especially in high school, opportunities like Aaron’s are rare. “To provide this amazing world classroom to everyone—it’s something that needs the support of donors,” said Terri.
Aaron shares her gratitude. “Earthwatch holds a very special place for my mom,” he said. “It’s where I got to flourish as a young and developing marine biologist, and it had a really big impact on us both.”
“Conserving the earth, conserving our oceans and being a part of a team that works towards building a sustainable future for the planet—those are things that people want to be connected to, especially young people,” said Terri. “That’s an amazing cause, and it fuels my interest in donating to Earthwatch.”
A LEGACY OF MENTORSHIP
One of the things that makes Terri proudest is how Aaron has carried the spirit of teaching forward. At Dalhousie, he created a mentoring program that pairs first- and second-year undergraduates with scientists in the field. That program still runs today, helping new students find their footing in marine research.
To Terri, it’s a direct extension of the Earthwatch mission: connecting people to science, encouraging curiosity and passing knowledge to the next generation.
Today, Aaron continues to collaborate with Demian, Katie and others on global shark and marine ecology research, helping to further our understanding of these unique species and support conservation efforts to protect them. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Earthwatch expedition, especially Demian and Katie,” he said. “There’s no way.”
And through it all, one person has supported him every step of the way. “It takes a lot for mom to allow her kid to go on some crazy trip,” said Aaron. “But it’s not only giving back to me. Through her donations, I hope she’s giving back to other students who have similar dreams and aspirations.”
HELP IGNITE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS
In honoring her son’s passion, Terri has become part of a larger story: one in which her generosity is giving other young people their own “runaway train” moments—the chance to set off on a life-changing journey and never look back.
If you’d like to be part of that story too, you can browse Earthwatch expeditions to discover your own transformative experience.
