Daniela completed her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology at Royal Holloway, University of London in 2009. Her interest in scientific research developed during her undergraduate years, especially in the field of Marine Biology. She developed a strong interest in marine biodiversity and the adaptations of marine organisms to their fragile habitats. Through her research, she hopes to be able to make a difference in protecting marine habitats from anthropogenic harm. This interest has driven Daniela to pursue a Master’s degree in Marine Science at KAUST. Her work in Dr. Berumen's lab revolved around searching for evidence of the presence of ciguatera toxins in the Red Sea.