Bio Sketch

 

P1000501
My days on trawlers. Bringing up Pacific cod in Alaska

Quite simply, I want to make a notable difference in this world. By illuminating the world through writing and visual media, I invite humanity to look closer at the marvels of their environment. Perhaps this awareness will shake our values up and change what we decide to invest in and protect.

Working as a marine biologist over the span of a two decades drove me to inspire non-scientists about conservation, scientific discovery and exploration of our ocean realm– particularly the greater ocean depthsMy formal degrees were in marine ecology, but my background encompasses a diverse array of marine, aquatic, and terrestrial work around the globe. This includes expeditions with robots to the Arctic, deep-sea diving in New Zealand, marine pollution research and outreach activities in California, oceanographic support in Antarctica, aquaculture construction in central Africa, tropical reef research in the Caribbean, fisheries tagging in Alaska, and marine mammal tracking in Australia. Whether ship-based, in the field or lab, my specialty as a scientist was being able to do it all! Now I bring those discoveries and expeditions to non-scientists through words and visuals.

 

EDUCATION

Graduate Certificate, Science Communication, University of California, Santa Cruz 2012

MSc, Marine Science (with honours), University of Otago, New Zealand 2003                                                                                                                   -Thesis: Ecological Assessment Using Laser-Aided Imaging Aboard a Manned Submersible

BS, Marine Biology (cum laude), University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas 1996                                                                                                         -National Student Exchange to Western Washington University for sea anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima) research

PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE WRITING AND OUTREACH

CURRENT:  

  • Synchro Program Manager, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 2023- present  Manage a new program that is affiliated with CeNCOOS to provide access to fast track testing for new low-cost sensor technology designed with ocean resource manager needs in mind who need to monitor climate change affects. Co-designed with USCS, Stanford Center for Oceans Solutions, CSUMB, and MLML
  • Freelance science writer, 2013-present
    Such clients as Monterey Bay Aquarium (Seafood Watch app/website), PNAS, Science, Santa Barbara Zoo, High Country News, UC Santa Cruz, National Geographic, Conservation Magazine, Wildlife Conservation Society-Fiji  

PAST: 

  • SALT (Seafood Alliance for Traceability and Legality) Project Director, FishWise, 2018-2023  
    Helping shape new initiative to improve fisheries management and traceability in the seafood supply. Creating the communication structure, providing logistical support for convenings held worldwide, and building a network of traceability and illegal fishing experts. Funded by USAID, Packard, Walton Family, and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundations
  • Communication and outreach consultant,  Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, US Geological Survey, Santa Cruz, CA  2014-2018
    Create and edit USGS research materials and online content. Chronicle USGS research in the field by producing videos, podcasts, photography archives, and creating content for social media, and written features; provide outreach guidance to scientists and communications team; develop plain language lessons
  • Special Reporting Fellow, Mongabay, 2014 Embedded reporting on fisheries in Fiji  Investigating the locally managed coral reef fisheries in Fiji: Is it working?
  • Education Officer and Science Writer/Videographer FALL 2014 Aboard deep ocean drilling ship, JOIDES Resolution during mission near Mariana Trench. 

SCIENCE WRITING INTERNSHIPS:

  • Science writer and video producer (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology),  2012-2013
  • Science Video Producer (National Park Service), Point Reyes, CA. 2012
  • Radio Producer (KUSP, NPR Affiliate), Santa Cruz, CA. 2012
  • Staff Reporter (Monterey County Herald) Monterey, CA. 2012
  • Science Writer (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute), Moss Landing, CA. 2011

Cast of Discovery Channel’s The Colony (Original Productions), Los Angeles, CA. 2009

Science Outreach Manager (SeaLife Conservation), S/R/V Derek M Baylis, Monterey Bay 2003-2005

Fisheries and Agriculture Outreach Agent (Peace Corps) Gabon, Central Africa 1997-1999

 

MARINE RESEARCH CONTRACTS

Fisheries Researcher (International Pacific Halibut Commission), Gulf of Alaska 2009-2011

Marine Ecotoxicology Project Manager (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, CA. 2008-2009

Fisheries Biologist (NMFS, NOAA, and Cascade Fishing), Bering Sea 2006-2008

Marine Technician (Raytheon Polar Services, R/V Icebreaker Nathaniel B. Palmer), Antarctica 2004

Science Support and Engineering Intern (MBARI), Arctic & CA. 2001

Research Diver and Field Assistant (University of Otago) New Zealand 2000

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Workshop Conferee: National Association of Science Writers, Pacific Coast Children’s Writers, Central Coast Writers’, and Highlights Foundation Science Writing for Kids, 2007 to present

Science Writer, Beckman Initiative for Macular Degeneration Conference, 2012

Oceanswide guest speaker on ROVs for education, Damariscotta, Maine

Guest Speaker- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute; University of the Virgin Islands

Writer and photographer for Colorado newspaper, and numerous speaking engagements about Peace Corps experience

 

FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS and AFFILIATIONS

Woods Hole Oceanographic Ocean Science Reporting Fellow, 2017

People’s choice award at Wild Orbit Goldschmidt Film Festival, 2017

Special Reporting Fellowship, Mongabay.org, 2014

ARCS Scholar, Northern California Chapter, 2011-2012

National Association of Science Writers, Society of Environmental Journalists, National Peace Corps Association member

NASW Graduate and Freelance Travel Fellow, 2011

University of Otago International Scholarship, and PADI AWARE grant for Masters research, 200

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS

Multimedia: Video, radio, and photo production: Final Cut Pro, Audacity, Soundslides, and Adobe Audition, Photoshop, Aperture, Powerpoint, WordPress

LanguageEnglish/French/Japanese (in training)

Computer: Proficient in Macintosh and PC applications: Microsoft Office Suite, Optimas Image Analysis, Endnote, Systat

Field: CERT and FEMA disaster relief training for hurricane and earthquake; sea experience: 550+ days at sea and extensive small boat handling and certification; rescue and research diver with more than 250 dives; training in ROV operations; 25 manned submersible dives

Birthday Halibut

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