Kylie Smith, PhD
Co-founder and project manager - Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education (I.CARE) Founded in 2019 with project lead Michael Goldberg (Key Dives), I.CARE is dedicated to restoring the reefs of Islamorada, including the world famous Alligator Reef. Their mission is to incorporate local businesses, residents and visitors in the restoration and maintenance of our coral reef communities in Islamorada. They have partnered with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Mote Marine Laboratory to create the first community based approach to reef restoration in the middle Florida Keys. Their activities include coral transplanting, marine debris clean-ups and reef monitoring. With participation from Islamorada’s businesses and residents and divers across the country, they hope to restore our reefs for current and future generations.
|
Cindy Lewis, PhD
Director - Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) The Keys Marine Laboratory (KML), located in the City of Layton, Florida, is operated by the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), a consortium under the State University System of Florida (SUS), and is hosted by the University of South Florida (USF). KML was established in 1987 as a full-service marine research and education center serving undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and researchers from the state, national and international scientific communities. KML, through FIO, is a member of the National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML), Southern Association of Marine Laboratories (SAML), and the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC).
|
Rod Bertelsen, PhD
Senior Scientist Emeritus - Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute - Marathon, FL (FWC) As a division of the FWC, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) conducts collaborative research and monitoring to provide timely information and guidance to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s fish and wildlife resources.
FWRI integrates its research with management efforts of other FWC divisions and provides science-based assessments and decision support to the Commission and others responsible for managing or regulating activities that depend on Florida’s unique and diverse natural resources. |
Meghnaa Tallapragada, PhD
Assistant Professor Klein College of Media and Communication Temple University Meghnaa Tallapragada is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations in the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University. Tallapragada graduated from Cornell University with a Ph.D. in Communication and from North Carolina State University with an M.S. in Communication. She also holds a B.E. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from CBIT, Osmania University, India. Her research focuses on three specific lines of investigation: (1) developing science communication techniques that allow individuals to make scientifically informed decisions in the context of climate science, ocean conservation, genetically modified organisms, or science and technology in general, (2) improving public engagement between scientists, engineers, and publics, and (3) developing models of inclusion to benefit underserved communities.
|
Kathy Prosser is an acclaimed international multi-award winning songwriter and playwright, including two-time recipient of the Australian Songwriter’s Association Children’s Song of the Year and two-time recipient of the Australian Songwriter’s Conference Children’s Song of the Year. Kathy creates educational music and puppetry based programs and products that introduce young people to issues of social, environmental, historical, and global importance. Kathy is passionate about music, young minds, and environmental conservation. Her extensive experience in the children’s educational music sector in Australia and USA has evolved into developing and implementing groundbreaking cross-disciplinary approaches for teaching formal education in informal environments.
|
Bill Herrnkind, PhD
Robert K. Godfrey Professor Emeritus Department of Biological Sciences Florida State University Bill Herrnkind is marine biologist interested in ecology and behavior. Much of his research has involved underwater technology, manipulative field experiments, and mesocosms to study the Caribbean spiny lobster. Investigations of mass migrations and orientation by this widespread, heavily fished species were sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Recent research has centered on juvenile habitat requirements and recruitment in the region's primary nursery, Florida Bay, supported by the Sea Grant Program. He has mentored 24 M.S. and 16 Ph.D. recipients and taught zoology, animal behavior, and marine biology. In 1984 he codeveloped an award-winning, hands-on program in marine science for middle school students. He has received awards for both environmental education and undergraduate teaching.
|
Dr. Michael Childress
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-0314
864.985.2384
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-0314
864.985.2384