Cristina Menendez, died July 23, 1998, after collapsing from heat exhaustion while collecting water samples in the Everglades. Cristina, twenty-five years-old, earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Florida International University in 1997. She was vitally interested in the environment, particularly the Everglades, and planned to devote her professional life to the protection and restoration of our fragile resources. She was already proficient at the often dirty and difficult field work so necessary for scientific research. But no matter how difficult, she loved the challenge. She was employed as a student assistant by the Southeast Environmental Research Program during her undergraduate years, and then following her graduation, moved eagerly into her role as a field technician. Her task was to collect water samples in the water conservation areas to be used to monitor pollution levels in the Everglades. She welcomed the hardships she endured in the field as valuable experiences on the road to her future which included graduate studies and a career in the Biological Sciences.

As much as all of us in Southeast Environmental Research Program are diminished by her death, we are also strengthened by the gift of having known her. And even in the depths of our sadness, we can find comfort in remembering how her life touched each of ours. Her quick laughter and keen sense of humor prevented us from taking ourselves too seriously. Her excitement and enthusiasm about her work and studies reminded us that joy can be found even in the routine and sometimes unpleasant tasks that fill our days. Her kindness and encouragement were freely given, and never failed to restore our sometimes flagging faith in ourselves and others.

Download Cristina's poster

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We would like to thank Claudine Laab for her photographic dedication on this poster.