Biography

EDUCATION

• Florida International University | Miami, FL

LEADERSHIP, ACHIEVEMENTS, HONORS & RECOGNITION

March 2025
Resilience in their Eyes photograph showcased at the Photovogue festival in Milan, Italy as part of the vital impacts exhibition.

Dec 2024
Collaborated with Sierra Club Florida to produce a short film aimed at reigniting public opposition to plans for developing Florida state parks with golf courses, part of the so-called "Great Outdoors Initiative."

Dec 2024
Photographer in Vital Impacts annual print sale. “80 photographers renowned for their dedicaiton to the planet.” The sale supported The Convening Group of Indigenous Peoples in the Amazon. COICA represents 511 indigenous communities across 9 countries, working tirelessly to protect and preserve the Amazon, one of the most vital and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Vital Impacts 2024

Aug 2024
Led Florida’s win withdrawing the “Great Outdoors Initiative” that would build hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts in nine of our state parks. Released a short film that was watched over 800,000 times and shared over 12,000 times it was pivotal in raising awareness at a critical time. Save our State Parks

June 2024
Partnered with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians to release a short film aimed at raising awareness about a federal proposal for a Wilderness Designation on their ancestral lands. This designation would strip the tribe of their rights to the land, disregarding the crucial role of Indigenous stewardship in true preservation efforts. Wilderness Designation

Apr 2024
Partnered with the United State Postal Service (USPS) to tell the story of the endangered West Indian Manatee and promote the new Save Manatee Stamp.

Jan 2024
Partnered with Verizon to create and be featured in a commercial, showcasing how Luca uses their network in the field while highlighting the unseen beauty of the Everglades.

Nov 2023
FIU Student Ambassador/Leader for Washington, D.C. three-day Fly-in advocating for Everglades Restoration

Oct 2023
Photographer in Vital Impacts annual print sale. Sale supported R.E.S.C.U.E, Africa’s first indigenous-owned elephant sanctuary.

Sep 2023
Led Miami’s first-ever win overturning development on environmentally sensitive land. Partnered with conservationist Ron Magill to raise awareness and stop the Miami Wilds water park development to protect the largest population of endangered Florida Bonneted Bats. Released two independent short films that were watched over two million times and pivotal in raising awareness at a critical time. Miami's Real Wild

Aug 2023
First Ever Florida International University Provost’s Achievement Award and Provost’s Undergraduate Environmental Fellowship, 2023

Jun 2023
VoLo Foundation ambassador – amplifying the Foundation’s mission and message to accelerate environmental change and education.

Apr 2023
Palmetto Bay Mayor’s First-Ever Youth Environmentalist of the Year Award, 2023

Feb 2023
Everglades Foundation and UNESCO partnership for an Everglades digital exhibit 'River of Grass' Exhibit for the UNESCO World Heritage Collection on the Google Arts & Culture Platform. Featured photographs and videos in the 'River of Grass' Exhibit

Jan 2023
Contributing writer (Editor’s Choice) for Oceanographic Magazine Issue #28, A Different Kind of Wild; feature by-line article, Luca Martinez. January 2023

Aug 2022
Recognized among 28 Youth Voices Making a Difference. Everglades Foundation

2022-23
Speaker for the CLEO Institute: Speaking to students about the climate crisis education and advocacy. Working to build climate literacy and mobilize climate action.

2021-22
Waterkeeper Junior Ambassador: Advocating for South Florida watershed and wildlife. Ensure swimmable, fishable, drinkable water for all. Connecting our community to our SFL waterways.