Nikki Fragala Barnes, MFA, PhD (Texts and Technology, in progress), is a poet-artist and curator. Also an editor (Obra/Artifact, Journal of Interactive Technology and Pedagogy), Barnes is an arts activist and community builder, with works exhibited/performed internationally. She began swimming competitively on the high school varsity team and served as an assistant coach before graduating. Later, she was part of the inaugural, award-winning coaching staff for Olympia High School in Orlando, FL.