Alexandra ‘Ali’ Otto ’27

While studying at William & Mary, Alexandra “Ali” Otto is also tackling real-life conservation issues. As a sophomore, she completed a months-long project with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) examining the effects of artificial light pollution on migratory bird populations. This light is known to disorient birds traveling over the ocean at night, often resulting in severe injury or death. By mapping light-producing offshore activities such as cruise routes and oil drilling, and comparing such activities with known bird-migration patterns, Ali and her fellow researchers in the Institute for Integrative Conservation’s Conservation Research Program provided findings to the USFWS that may help guide future migratory bird conservation efforts. Additionally, Ali created a toolkit with suggestions for how offshore companies can reduce their artificial light at night.

Ali continues to explore her academic interests at William & Mary as a Monroe Scholar and a member of the Marine Science Society. Through her involvement in the Conservation Research Program, she says, “I was able to confirm that a career in conservation is within reach — I just have to keep working hard and taking every opportunity that might come my way.”

Learn more about Ali

• Read her essay, Safeguarding the Environment, in the W&M Alumni Magazine.