ACADEMIC TRAINING, RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS, & EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment/Duke University Marine Lab Ph.D. in Marine Science and Conservation – Advisor: Dr. Andrew Read Concentration: Conservation Science, Environmental Governance, Marine Protected Areas, Antarctic Cons. Coursework: Statistical Data Analysis & R, Social-Ecological Systems, Geospatial Analysis & Python, Metapopulation Analysis, Political Ecology, and Qualitative/Survey Research Methods University of Maryland, Joint Program in Public Policy & Conservation Biology Master of Science in Sustainable Development & Conservation Biology – Focus: Marine Policy & Conservation Coursework: Climate Change, Conservation Biology, Wetland Ecology, Wildlife Management Master of Public Policy in Environmental Policy & Human Security Coursework: Environmental Policy & Ethics, Conflict Management, International Security Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Political Science & French; Minor in Philosophy Coursework: Cultural, Economic & Physical Geography, Climate Science, Elections, International Affairs Chateaubriand STEM Fellowship Program, Embassy of France in the United States Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Endeavour Research Fellowship, Australian Department of Education & Training James Cook University, Australian Research Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies with Dr. Robert Pressey & the Conservation Planning Group John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, NOAA Sea Grant National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Special Assistant to the Director Critical Language Scholarship Program, U.S. Department of State Arabic Language Institute (ACTFL: Intermediate Low) Egypt Summer Honors Program, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Coursework: Egyptian culture, society, and politics Collège International de Cannes Coursework: French & European politics |
Durham/Beaufort, N.C. August 2015 – December 2020 Completed October 2020 College Park, Maryland December 2014 May 2013 Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania May 2011 Paris, France April 2019 – 2020 Townsville, Queensland August 2018 – February 2019 Silver Spring, Maryland February 2014 – 2015 Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia Summer 2010 Cairo & the Sinai, Egypt May 2010 Cannes, France February – June 2008 |
PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), Protected Area Policy Division Policy Analyst on the Sanctuary Expansion and Management Team National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service Office of the Assistant Administrator (ONMS), Office of the Chief of Staff Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations and National Programs 39th Annual Meeting of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Advisor. 37th Annual Meeting of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Head of Delegation. 36th Annual Meeting of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), Advisor. 35th Annual Meeting of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), Advisor. NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division Principal Scientist – Marine Mammal Conservation and Recovery Specialist (GS-13) · Reassess how NMFS conducts Optimum Sustainable Population analyses and defines carrying capacity · Contribute to redesigning the Draft Polar Bear Conservation Management Plan · Coordinate NMFS' interagency efforts to regulate the impacts of UAS on marine protected species and encourage their use in scientific research applications · Conduct a review of the three regional Scientific Review Groups that annually review the Stock Assessment Reports completed as directed by the Marine Mammal Protection Act NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources (Knauss Fellowship) Office of the Director of Protected Resources Special Assistant to the Director and Deputy Director (GS-11) · Supported the Director and Deputy in efforts to protect, conserve and recover protected species · Communicated regulatory actions to the Office of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries · Coordinated actions within the Office of the Director, between the divisions, and with field offices · Worked to harmonize OPR's science and management branches’ implementation of the MMPA and ESA · Coordinated the initial process for identifying high priority species for further recovery investments · Coordinated the development of budget proposals for NOAA Fisheries' OPR World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Adaptation to Climate Change for Marine Turtles (ACT) Project (Acting Coordinator) · Coordinated an initiative focused on reducing the impact of climate change on marine turtles · Completed vulnerability assessments of marine turtle nesting beaches throughout the Caribbean · Provided technical support and advice for climate change adaptation projects · Conducted strategic planning to realign the program with WWF ‘Oceans Team’ priorities St. Eustatius National Marine Park Sea Turtle & Marine Park Programs · Conducted sea turtle (hawksbill, green, leatherback) nesting patrols, tagging, and in-water surveys · Eradicated invasive lionfish from sensitive reef ecoystems, conducted coral fish surveys · Mentored park volunteers, maintained marine park moorings U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Policy Analysis (Program Analyst) · Analyzed and revised the Department’s 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Plan · Worked with USGCRP to improve adaptation planning and interagency collaboration Office of the Deputy Secretary/America’s Great Outdoors · Coordinated interagency greenspace efforts between the EPA, USDA, FWS, NPS · Contributed to and coordinated the Urban Waters Federal Partnership |
Silver Spring, Maryland March 2023 – Present Silver Spring, Maryland June 2021 – March 2023 Virtual due to COVID-19 October 22nd – 30th, 2020 Hobart, Australia October 22nd – Nov. 2, 2018 Hobart, Australia October 16th – 27th, 2017 Hobart, Australia October 17th - 29th, 2016 Silver Spring, Maryland September 2014 - June 2015 Silver Spring, Maryland February 2014 – 2015 Washington, D.C. April 2013 – January 2014 Oranjestad, St. Eustatius Summer 2013 Washington, D.C. January – May 2013 May – December 2012 |
HONORS, AWARDS & RESEARCH/ACADEMIC FUNDING
Fred and Barbara Sutherland Graduate Fellowship ($5,500) “Forecasting the Likelihood of Protected Area Designation in the Southern Ocean.” APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research, and Education (ASPIRE Prize; $1,200) The United States' nominee and international runner-up Chateaubriand STEM Fellowship Program, Embassy of France in the United States ($14,500) Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Recherche Insulaires et Observatoire de l'Environnement with Dr. Joachim Claudet & the Sorbonne Université Alice and Joyce Temple Graduate Fellowship ($5,500) “Preserving Biodiversity Through Conservation Planning in the Southern Ocean.” Endeavour Research Fellowship, Australian Department of Education & Training ($24,500) “Pursuing Ecosystem-Based Management in the Southern Oceans." James Cook University, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies w/ Dr. Robert Pressey & the Conservation Planning Group Duke University International Dissertation Research Travel Award ($3,000) National Geographic Society Early Career Award ($4,753) “Pursuing Ecosystem-Based Management in the Southern Oceans: Incorporating Alternative Data Sources into Systematic Conservation Planning.” Duke Graduate Student Training Enhancement Grant ($1,200) Duke University Graduate Research/Teaching Assistantship & Fellowship (~$365,000 - 5 years) National Fish & Wildlife Foundation ($100,000 - 2 years) “Adaptation to Climate Change for Marine Turtles (ACT): A Contribution Towards the Long-Term Recovery of Caribbean Hawksbill Populations.” Mariana Panuncio, Seth Sykora-Bodie & Marianne Fish Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship ($56,500) University of Maryland Full Graduate Assistantship ($76,958 - 3 years) Pi Sigma Alpha National Graduate Scholarship ($2,000) One of four national annual awards 2010 Political Science Department Outstanding Senior Ali-Zaidi Scholarship, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education ($500) One of the three finalists best undergraduate students in the State System Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment Scholarships ($4,000) Paul F. Rizza Scholarship, April 2009; Robert A. Davis Scholarship, April 2010 Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty Scholarship ($3,000) Single award presented annually Sylvan Cohen Memorial Scholarship ($4,000 - 4 years) Single award presented to the best incoming Political Science student Honors Program Scholarship ($5,000 - 5 years) |
Duke University Summer 2020 Asia-Pacific Econ. Coop. January 2020 CNRS Paris April 2019 – Jan. 2020 Duke University Summer 2019 August 2018 – Feb. 2019 2018 – 2019 Fall 2017 – Spring 2019 Summer 2017 2015 – 2020 Summer 2014 January 2014 – 2015 2011-2014 June 2011 May 2010 April 2010 2009 & 2010 Spring 2009 March 2006 March 2006 |
CONFERENCES, PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS & OUTREACH
Regulatory Drafting and Process. The Regulatory Group (TRG). April 18th – 19th, 2024.
Federal Appropriations Law Training. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). March 8 – 10th, 2022.
6th International Marine Conservation Congress. Virtual due to COVID-19 (Kiel, Germany). August 17th – 28th, 2020
Oral Presentation: “Identifying Conservation Needs and Opportunities to Inform Protected Area Design."
Beyond the Academy. “Charting the Course of the Future of the Academy.” University of California, LA. January 15–17th, 2020.
Sorbonne University. "Southern Ocean Governance and Spatial Management." Paris, France. November 14th, 2019.
2nd International Society for Participatory Mapping Conference. Espoo, Finland. June 17th – 19th, 2019.
Oral Presentation: “Conducting Spatial Assessments of Conservation Need & Opportunity: Mapping the West Antarctic Peninsula.”
COTE Summer School. "Ecology and Society: Frontiers and Boundaries." University of Bordeaux, Cadillac, France. June 3rd–7th, 2019.
National Geographic Explorer Chat Host: “Science to Policy Linkages.” April 10th, 2019.
ComSciCon Workshop. “The Communicating Science workshop for graduate students.” Raleigh, North Carolina. March 23rd & April 6th, 2019.
Marxan Training Workshop. Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association.
Tools: Marxan with Zones, Marxan, Zonae Cogito, and Prioritizr. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. July 30th–Aug. 1st.
4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity. Montreal, Canada. May 13th - 16th, 2018.
Oral Presentation: "Collaborative Governance in the Southern Ocean: The Ross Sea MPA."
“Regulatory Frameworks for Protected Species: The ESA and MMPA.” Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania. April 13th, 2018.
37th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Las Vegas, Nevada. April 16th – April 20th, 2017.
Invited workshop talk: “UAS Applications in Sea Turtle Science and Conservation.”
Oral Presentation: “Untangling Nearshore Sea Turtle Densities: UAS Applications for Population Assessments.”
36th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Lima, Peru. February 27th - March 4th, 2016
Session Co-Chair for the 'Conservation, Management and Policy' Oral Presentation Session
Workshops: Scientific and Intentional Capture and Handling of Marine Turtles
21st Biennial Conference, Society for Marine Mammalogy. San Francisco, California. December 12-18th, 2015.
Workshops: Integrating Marine Mammal Research and Management, Dec. 12th, 2015; Unmanned Aerial Systems:
Powerful Tools for Marine Science and Conservation, December 13th, 2015.
Combatting Wildlife Trafficking: Communicating, Connecting, and Evaluating Challenges and Solutions for Policy
Development and Implementation. AAAS Symposium, Washington, D.C. May 2015
35th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Dalaman, Turkey. April 2015
Workshops: Geographic Information Systems & Marine Turtles
34th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. April 2014.
Coral Reef Task Force Annual Meeting, Department of the Interior (DOI), Washington, D.C., February 2013
Urban Waters Federal Partnership National Training Workshop. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 23-25 October 2012
“The Relative Impact of Individual-Level Factors that Influence Opinion of the Presidency, Obama v. Bush: A Q-Methodological Study.” Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) 2011 Annual Meeting, Chicago, March 31-April 2 (with Mara Christy and Dr. Sharon Sykora)
Association of American Geographers, 2010 Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., April 2010
"Is Negativity Increasing as Time Goes By? Candidate Advertisements in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Presidential General Election Campaigns." Pennsylvania Political Science Association, 2009 Annual Meeting, Elizabethtown, PA (with Dave Antonini and Jess Cosme)
Regulatory Drafting and Process. The Regulatory Group (TRG). April 18th – 19th, 2024.
Federal Appropriations Law Training. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). March 8 – 10th, 2022.
6th International Marine Conservation Congress. Virtual due to COVID-19 (Kiel, Germany). August 17th – 28th, 2020
Oral Presentation: “Identifying Conservation Needs and Opportunities to Inform Protected Area Design."
Beyond the Academy. “Charting the Course of the Future of the Academy.” University of California, LA. January 15–17th, 2020.
Sorbonne University. "Southern Ocean Governance and Spatial Management." Paris, France. November 14th, 2019.
2nd International Society for Participatory Mapping Conference. Espoo, Finland. June 17th – 19th, 2019.
Oral Presentation: “Conducting Spatial Assessments of Conservation Need & Opportunity: Mapping the West Antarctic Peninsula.”
COTE Summer School. "Ecology and Society: Frontiers and Boundaries." University of Bordeaux, Cadillac, France. June 3rd–7th, 2019.
National Geographic Explorer Chat Host: “Science to Policy Linkages.” April 10th, 2019.
ComSciCon Workshop. “The Communicating Science workshop for graduate students.” Raleigh, North Carolina. March 23rd & April 6th, 2019.
Marxan Training Workshop. Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association.
Tools: Marxan with Zones, Marxan, Zonae Cogito, and Prioritizr. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. July 30th–Aug. 1st.
4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity. Montreal, Canada. May 13th - 16th, 2018.
Oral Presentation: "Collaborative Governance in the Southern Ocean: The Ross Sea MPA."
“Regulatory Frameworks for Protected Species: The ESA and MMPA.” Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania. April 13th, 2018.
37th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Las Vegas, Nevada. April 16th – April 20th, 2017.
Invited workshop talk: “UAS Applications in Sea Turtle Science and Conservation.”
Oral Presentation: “Untangling Nearshore Sea Turtle Densities: UAS Applications for Population Assessments.”
36th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Lima, Peru. February 27th - March 4th, 2016
Session Co-Chair for the 'Conservation, Management and Policy' Oral Presentation Session
Workshops: Scientific and Intentional Capture and Handling of Marine Turtles
21st Biennial Conference, Society for Marine Mammalogy. San Francisco, California. December 12-18th, 2015.
Workshops: Integrating Marine Mammal Research and Management, Dec. 12th, 2015; Unmanned Aerial Systems:
Powerful Tools for Marine Science and Conservation, December 13th, 2015.
Combatting Wildlife Trafficking: Communicating, Connecting, and Evaluating Challenges and Solutions for Policy
Development and Implementation. AAAS Symposium, Washington, D.C. May 2015
35th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Dalaman, Turkey. April 2015
Workshops: Geographic Information Systems & Marine Turtles
34th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. April 2014.
Coral Reef Task Force Annual Meeting, Department of the Interior (DOI), Washington, D.C., February 2013
Urban Waters Federal Partnership National Training Workshop. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 23-25 October 2012
“The Relative Impact of Individual-Level Factors that Influence Opinion of the Presidency, Obama v. Bush: A Q-Methodological Study.” Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) 2011 Annual Meeting, Chicago, March 31-April 2 (with Mara Christy and Dr. Sharon Sykora)
Association of American Geographers, 2010 Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., April 2010
"Is Negativity Increasing as Time Goes By? Candidate Advertisements in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Presidential General Election Campaigns." Pennsylvania Political Science Association, 2009 Annual Meeting, Elizabethtown, PA (with Dave Antonini and Jess Cosme)
CERTIFICATIONS & LANGUAGES
Motorboat Operator Certification, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Annapolis, Maryland, June 2015
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills & Seamanship Equivalent Course)
Rescue Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Taganga, Colombia, January 2014
Enriched Air Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Oranjestad, St. Eustatius, June 2013
Advanced Open Water, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Oranjestad, St. Eustatius, June 2013
Open Water Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, May 2011
French, proficient/fluent (B.A. in French Language & Culture), May 2011
Arabic, Intermediate Low (ACTFL Certified), August 2010
Motorboat Operator Certification, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Annapolis, Maryland, June 2015
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills & Seamanship Equivalent Course)
Rescue Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Taganga, Colombia, January 2014
Enriched Air Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Oranjestad, St. Eustatius, June 2013
Advanced Open Water, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Oranjestad, St. Eustatius, June 2013
Open Water Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, May 2011
French, proficient/fluent (B.A. in French Language & Culture), May 2011
Arabic, Intermediate Low (ACTFL Certified), August 2010
LEADERSHIP, AFFILIATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS & SERVICE
National Ocean Protection Coalition
Science Advisory Team Member, 2021 – 2023
International Journal of Participatory Mapping
Editorial Board Member, 2020 – 2022
International Society of Participatory Mapping
Member, 2020 – 2021
International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA)
Member, 2017-2025
Peer-Reviewer
The Polar Journal, PeerJ, Endangered Species Research, Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Seashore Soccer League
U8 Assistant Coach, 2018
U15 Head Coach, 2017
John Sutherland Memorial Speaker Coordinator
2017-2018, Duke University Marine Lab
International Sea Turtle Society
2016 Paper Session Co-Chair, “Conservation, Management, and Policy”
Environmental Policy Governing Council
Maryland School of Public Policy, representative, 2012-2013
International Security and Economic Policy Governing Council
Maryland School of Public Policy, representative, 2011-2013
Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society
President, 2008-2010
National Ocean Protection Coalition
Science Advisory Team Member, 2021 – 2023
International Journal of Participatory Mapping
Editorial Board Member, 2020 – 2022
International Society of Participatory Mapping
Member, 2020 – 2021
International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA)
Member, 2017-2025
Peer-Reviewer
The Polar Journal, PeerJ, Endangered Species Research, Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Seashore Soccer League
U8 Assistant Coach, 2018
U15 Head Coach, 2017
John Sutherland Memorial Speaker Coordinator
2017-2018, Duke University Marine Lab
International Sea Turtle Society
2016 Paper Session Co-Chair, “Conservation, Management, and Policy”
Environmental Policy Governing Council
Maryland School of Public Policy, representative, 2012-2013
International Security and Economic Policy Governing Council
Maryland School of Public Policy, representative, 2011-2013
Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society
President, 2008-2010