Passionate about improving how people interact with nature, Kendyl spent three months at the University of British Columbia poring over data from fisheries' catches made on the Polynesian island of Tuvalu. Her analysis revealed volumes five times higher than previous United Nations studies. Such research is vital to maintain sustainable food sources. "Tuvalu is a poor country with few options for protein," Kendyl says. "They need reliable estimates to ensure future food security." And the world is taking notice of what she has to say. In February, she will present her findings at the Ocean Sciences Meeting, an international gathering of scientists, in Salt Lake City. Kendyl is a 2012 recipient of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship.