ON THE beach of Playa Junquillal, Costa Rica, Makayla Martin gently releases baby sea turtles one by one onto the beach. The tiny creatures, no larger than the palm of her hand, instinctively scuttle toward the crashing waves. Each hatchling represents a fragile hope for survival in a world fraught with challenges — poachers, predators, and the sun’s relentless heat. But Martin and her team work to give the sea turtles their greatest opportunity for success.
Like the turtles she carefully shepherds to the ocean, she sets her dreams free to thrive.
Growing up, Martin’s natural environment was Lincoln County’s rural countryside. She was a member of the Lincoln County National FFA Organization throughout high school, immersing herself in all things agriculture. But she always felt drawn to water — a paradoxical passion for someone surrounded by fields rather than oceans. Creeks, ponds, and lakes were the nearest bodies of water for deep study, so Martin’s path to marine biology studies at Tennessee Technological University (TTU) was as winding as the trails leading to Costa Rica’s beaches.
But her earliest career dreams were landlocked. It was veterinary science until she realized it required the study of medicine, and the eight-year investment quickly recharted her path. Committed to her love of animals and a desire to protect them, zoology and marine biology captured her attention. Narrowing it down to pursuing a marine biology degree and a journalism minor was easy.
“I really love the ocean, the water, and all the aquatic activities. And the main reason I chose marine biology instead of zoology was because I don’t like sweating. I hate the heat with a passion, plus I love all the different types of marine animals. The only animal we ever interact with that’s an aquatic species is fish, and I want to learn more about all of them — rays, sharks, octopus, squid, dolphins — all of them. It just piqued my interest,” said Martin.
Martin’s creative passions combine to enable her to be a voice for the animals she loves. As a writer and photographer, she wants to work with endangered aquatic animals.
She said, “I want to be able to explain to people in the world why these animals are endangered, why they’re going extinct, and why we’re not doing a good enough job for them. We can’t just let all these animals die off. It’s not fair to them.” Her time in Costa Rica solidified this vision, offering her a glimpse into a future where she can explore diverse aquatic environments and advocate for endangered species.
Last July, Martin spent an entire month in Costa Rica, immersing herself in a work-based program dedicated to sea turtle conservation. Nestled in the small coastal town of Playa Junquillal, she lived with fellow volunteers in simple accommodations, sharing experiences and responsibilities. Each day began with breakfast at the communal house, followed by a trek to the hatchery — a 30-minute walk under the relentless sun that tested her resolve.
“The worst part about being there was walking in the heat,” she admitted with a laugh, “but once I got to the hatchery, it was all worth it.”
At the hatchery, Martin learned how to protect turtle eggs from predators and poachers. Under the guidance of Valerie, the marine biologist overseeing the project, her team dug up nests laid by mother turtles and transferred the eggs to a safer environment.
“We had to be careful not to touch them with bare hands,” Martin explained. “The goal was to give them a better chance of survival.”
The experience was eye-opening for her. Studying marine biology in class was one thing and another to see its real-world application.
Living far from coastal areas has not deterred Martin; instead, it has motivated her to work harder toward her dreams.
“More people who want to do marine biology probably live on the coast,” she reflected. “But this is my passion, so I’m going to push myself and work even harder to accomplish my goals and dreams, no matter what.”
The support of her third grade teacher, Beth Stewart, who, through her interest in Martin’s life, motivates her even today.
“She was always eager to hear about new things I’m doing with my life and where I’m at. Knowing that I can go back to Fayetteville, and if I talk to her, I know she’ll be proud of me. That’s a good little push for me to keep going and trying to achieve more and more goals,” Martin said. Similarly, the agricultural teachers at Lincoln County High School helped shape her communication skills through public speaking competitions and hands-on experiences with various animals.
In addition to her work in Costa Rica, Martin has been collaborating on a research project at TTU with professors Dr. Carla Hurt and Dr. Shawn Krosnick in the biology department for about two years. Her current project involves metabarcoding environmental DNA samples from local honey collected by beekeepers in Tennessee and Kentucky. By analyzing the DNA within honey, Martin seeks to uncover what flowers honeybees are attracted to, which can help farmers and beekeepers understand the floral sources present in their honey.
As Martin continues on this path toward becoming a marine biologist, she remains committed to exploring aquatic environments while advocating for their preservation. Her unique blend of scientific inquiry and artistic expression positions her as a promising voice in marine conservation.
Martin nurtures her dreams and those of the vulnerable creatures she protects, positioning herself to make waves in marine biology. Her journey reminds us that no matter where you start — be it landlocked Tennessee or the shores of Costa Rica — dedication and passion can lead you toward fulfilling your dreams while making a meaningful impact on the world. GN
