Karina Scavo, a PhD candidate working with Dr. Les Kaufman and Dr. John Finnerty, has received a Short-term Graduate Research Abroad Fellowship (GRAF) to support her travel and research in Belize in 2018. With these funds, Karina will be able to further study and understand the role of mangroves as potential reef refuges which is critical in the design and development of marine protected areas (MPAs) and reserves.