Dr. Corey Garza is a Professor in the Department of Marine Science at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). His research group specializes in the use of marine technologies and spatial statistics to study the relationship between habitat complexity and patterns of species distribution and abundance in marine communities. Dr. Garza oversees numerous NSF and NOAA funded program at CSUMB that include the CSUMB Ocean Sciences Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program, the NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and NSF ASPIRE (Active Societal Participation in Research and Education). Dr. Garza is also active in advancing the participation of underrepresented groups in science. Dr. Garza has previously served on the National Board of Directors of SACNAS (Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) and for the last 16 years has organized marine science programs at their annual meeting. He also serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee for the American Geophysical Union (AGU). He is a fellow of the California Academy of Sciences and serves on the board of directors for AGU.