Analisa Duran has worked in the informal science education field for over a decade. She started her career in marine science education, working her way up from aquarium educator to education specialist, then education manager at a local aquarium. In those roles, she facilitated, managed, and led science camps, tours, early learning programs and more. From there, she broadened her expertise to encompass additional science disciplines at Florida International University’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Education. There, she developed curriculum for 6th – 12th grade educators aligned to marine science, environmental science, and humanities research; led two science camps on university campuses; and connected with faculty to embed their work into outreach. Duran has facilitated and led science camps for the past 13 years, where she has learned best practices, both in teaching pedagogy and camper safety, to provide high quality educational camp programs.

Duran was drawn to the informal science education through her passion for the ocean and environment. She has seven years of experience working with sea turtles, conducting nesting surveys on the beach and in-water field work with Hawksbill turtles. Duran is a Florida Master Naturalist, past Florida Marine Science Educator Association board member, marine turtle permit holder for the Marine Order for Research and Action through Environmental Stewardship and a volunteer author and field biologist for the Florida Hawksbill Project. Duran holds a master’s degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Florida and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Science Education from Florida International University with an expected completion in 2025. Her research interests include educator self-efficacy and the processes of lesson planning/curriculum development at science museums and centers.