Kellianne Ticcony studies marine biology at Stony Brook University. At Rhinebeck (NY) high school, she initiated school-wide lectures on invasive species and understanding the role of pollinators, among others, and was co-captain of the school's Drawdown Eco-Challenge team. Ticcony has volunteered with the state Department of Environmental Conservation as part of their glass eel and eel ladder projects. The data collected during these projects provides baseline data on the American eel population. She is a co-founder of a group in Rhinebeck called The Last Straw, which is seeking to reduce plastic waste at local restaurants.