As a Florida native, Aymee grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida surrounded by a strong marine biology influence which included the Clearwater Aquarium and the filming of her favorite childhood television show. SeaQuest. Her childhood heroes included
Eugenie Clark and Jane Goodall. After high school, Aymee entered the Air Force and served at Offutt AFB in Nebraska and Shaw AFB in South Carolina. She trained as a military working dog handler and learned much about animal psychology.
Aymee completed her associate degree in Criminal Justice while also working toward a degree in Marine Biology. In 2006, she left the military and returned to Florida. Disappointed with the deterioration in marine education and conservation in Florida, she switched her degree program to Education in Biology with the intent to inspire high school students and encourage them to share her enthusiasm and passion for science. She has completed an associate degree in Education, studied Biodiversity at the University of Zurich, studied Environmental Ethics at the Technical University of Denmark, Evolution at Darwin University, and lectured at the Aparicio-Levy Technical Center Veterinary Assisting Program. She went on to complete her Bachelor’s in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology, Organismal, and Evolutionary Biology at St. Petersburg College in 2020.
In 2015, Aymee volunteered as a bear hunt monitor. Her life was forever changed by the events that took place on that day. She turned her attention toward the Florida black bear, spending months tirelessly pouring over and investigating scientific research and gathering data. In 2016, she enhanced her efforts towards education and conservation in Florida by becoming a Founding Member of Imagine Our Florida, Inc. and joining the Board of Directors. There she helped launch a series of scientific education and conservation-based efforts which she looks forward to expanding for future generations.