Mikaela Sako is a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Science at Baylor University studying watershed controls on lake nutrient dynamics. Her research integrates geospatial modeling, hydrology, and long-term monitoring data to examine how land use and nutrient export influence nitrogen, phosphorus, and algal biomass in lakes. She is particularly interested in watershed-lake linkages and improving predictive tools for water quality management. Mikaela expects to graduate in December 2026 and is seeking postdoctoral opportunities beginning in 2027.