UGA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Marine Education
Lindsay joined Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 1998 as a marine educator. Today she serves as Associate Director of Marine Education, overseeing education programs, people, and facilities at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island. As one of its marine education faculty, Anne teaches field, lab, and boat-based programs for students of all ages and coordinates the unit's Summer Marine Science Camps. She holds a BS from UGA (Zoology, 1987) and a MS from Clemson University (Zoology, 1990). Her hometown is Athens, Georgia.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
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- Member of the Advisory Board
- Marine Education Volunteer
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- Member of the Advisory Board
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- Assistant Administrative Financial Director
Klostermann has been with UGA since 2007 in administrative and financial roles within the UGA Foundation and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She came to Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2020. She supports the Athens Administrative Office with OneSource financial transaction processing and UGA Foundation donor relations coordination. Key duties include weekly UGA Foundation gift acknowledgment, monthly P-card reconciliation, daily OneSource payment requests, and managing UGAMart orders, receipts and invoices. Klostermann wears a lot of hats, but enjoys the variety of duties and learning new things every day. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, camping and kayaking with her husband, Bob.
Job Titles:
- Evaluation Coordinator
- Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator
As Reporting and Evaluation Coordinator, Dula helps to streamline data collection for reporting requirements and provide technical assistance for creating evaluation plans. He received his bachelor's in biology from Gettysburg College and his masters from the University of Georgia at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. His previous work includes marine science education, assisting bat research in Panama, and studying Gulf Sturgeon for his thesis.
Originally from New Jersey, he now calls Athens home. In his free time, he and his partner enjoy biking, going to see live music and fostering cats and dogs.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Extension
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- Member of the Advisory Board
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- Member of the Advisory Board
- Institute of Government
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
McGill serves as the program specialist at the unit's Brunswick office. She joined Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2020 after working for the City of Brunswick. She has a wide range of experience in office management and program assistance including overseeing a municipal records management program and supporting property tax billing and collection procedures.
McGill spent much of her childhood growing up on Sapelo Island. She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and anthropology from Valdosta State University. She enjoys living on the coast and taking time to reflect on the beautiful views and the rich history found there. In her spare time, McGill enjoys reading and beachgoing with her family.
Devin serves as Curator of the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island, GA. He joined UGA Marine Extension and Georgia SeaGrant in December of 2008 while finishing a master's degree program at Savannah State University. Devin previously worked as a Marine Technician for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resource Division and as an Environmental Educator at the UGA Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island, GA. Currently, Devin manages aquarium operations dealing with animal husbandry, aquarium life support and filtration systems, and educational display. Dumont trains, supervises, and mentors Sea Grant Education Fellows, Aquarium Science Interns, and volunteers for aquarium operations. He also collaborates with colleagues from universities, state and federal agencies, and private organizations on both field-based and aquarium-based research projects.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Public Relations Coordinator
Kenworthy oversees Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant's communications program. She works to increase the visibility of the unit by coordinating internal and external communications needs, including working with staff to develop print and digital publications, managing the unit's website and e-newsletter, and writing stories about research, education and extension projects. Prior to joining Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2016, she worked as a communications specialist in North Carolina covering marine science and environmental issues at UNC's Institute of Marine Sciences and the North Carolina Coastal Reserve.
She has her bachelor's degree in English from North Carolina State University and a master's in professional communication and leadership from Georgia Southern University.
Job Titles:
- Aquaculture Field Technician
Prior to joining Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2022, she completed her master's research on ocean acidification and the resilience of the coral Oculina arbuscula at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Erin received a bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in Biology from Georgia Southern University. In her spare time, Erin enjoys horseback riding, gardening and kayaking.
Job Titles:
- Coastal Economic Specialist
Frimpong is responsible for providing statewide leadership and coordination for developing, maintaining, and evaluating a coastal economics extension and applied coastal economic research program that serves Georgia. He provides technical assistance and outreach on marine economic-related topics to industry constituents, agency officials, community leaders, legislators, and other relevant stakeholder groups through consultations, workshops and seminars. He also develops educational materials to support the communication and dissemination of coastal economic research.
Jackie Wilson is the second half of our dynamic cafeteria team. She has over 20 year's experience in academic food service settings and brings her wealth of knowledge, great recipes and big smile to us.
Brown serves as the stormwater specialist. She is a water resource engineer and career extension professional, having worked at several land and sea grant universities on the east coast, wading through streams and marshes (and local policy!) helping communities to address the challenges of stormwater runoff, flooding and nonpoint source pollution. Brown joined Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2016 to develop the unit's stormwater program, focusing on applications of green stormwater infrastructure. She loves stormwater demonstration projects, particularly those that allow her to be outside in the company of large yellow construction equipment or get her boots dirty.
There are a handful of places Brown calls home, but she currently claims Saint Simons Island, Georgia. She has a bachelor's and master's degree from North Carolina State University in biological and agricultural engineering and is a licensed engineer. If the location regularly floods or if it has good food, Jess and her husband (also, a water resources engineer) won't be too far away - unless they are jumping in puddles with their kids.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
- Georgia Dept of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division
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- Marine Resource Specialist
John was born and raised in Savannah and lives on Sandbridge Creek with his wife, Cherie, and daughter, Madeleine, and their six boats.
Job Titles:
- Coastal Ecology Research Technician
Billings serves as a Coastal Ecology Research Technician with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant's Coastal Ecology Lab. He joined the lab as an intern in 2021 and is now a staff member working primarily on research surrounding translocated gopher tortoises and native plant communities within their habitats.
Billings is originally from southern California, but has spent most of his life in southeast Georgia where he obtained his Bachelor's degree in biology with a concentration in coastal ecology. In his spare time, he loves to explore Georgia's amazing ecosystems and practice some roadside botany.
Job Titles:
- Hatchery Manager
- Manager at Marine Extension
Manley is the hatchery manager at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant's Shellfish Research Laboratory on Skidaway Island. He joined the lab after running his own business, Spatking Oysters L.L.C., which was the first company to intensively farm oysters in the state. Manley has worked in commercial shellfish and finfish aquaculture and research for almost 20 years in the private and public sector in both the U.S. and Canada.
Manley was born and raised in metro Detroit, Michigan but has called Savannah home for over a decade. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology (minor chemistry) from Central Michigan University, his master's in marine science from Savannah State University, and he is completing his Ph.D. in marine sciences at UGA. Justin takes pride in his off sense of humor that nobody gets. In his spare time, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, weightlifting, running or gardening. When he's not in Savannah, he is kayaking amongst the mangroves in the Florida Keys or the Caribbean Sea.
Job Titles:
- Marine Educator and Volunteer Coordinator
teaches K-12 field trip programs at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant's Marine Education Center and Aquarium and manages the unit's volunteer program. She joined the team in 2018 after working as the education program manager at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. She has worked as a wildlife biologist and environmental educator in diverse settings, living in Oregon, Costa Rica and Spain before settling on the Georgia coast. Higgins conducts a variety of teacher workshops, serves as a board member on the Georgia Association of Marine Education and works to develop programming that promotes good stewardship practices as they relate to avian conservation.
Higgins grew up in Ohio, playing in the woods surrounding her house. She is an avid birder, reader and loves to garden and tend her small flock of chickens. She is the mother of two bright daughters who also love the outdoors. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Portland State University, Oregon and has a M.A. in Zoology from Miami University of Ohio.
Job Titles:
- Water Quality Program Coordinator
- Water Resources Specialist
Katy Smith joined Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 1999. She manages the water quality program and provides classroom and field-based education and outreach related to water quality, marine debris and coastal ecology. She works with diverse partners to develop outreach campaigns and action plans to address water issues and environmental challenges.
She received her bachelor's in ecology from UGA in 1997. She had the opportunity to work as an intern for Merryl Alber in the Department of Marine Sciences during her senior year. During this time, she learned to plan and carry out coastal water quality assessments aboard the R/V Blue Fin.
Smith grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and currently lives on St. Simons Island with her husband and their two sons. Her favorite activities are going to the beach with her family, traveling, and cooking out with friends.
Job Titles:
- EcoScapes Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Coastal Ecology Specialist - Coastal Ecology Lab
Andrews has a faculty appointment as the Coastal Ecology Specialist and is located at the Brunswick station where she oversees the Coastal Ecology Lab. She officially joined Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2020 but has been working on the Georgia coast since 2011. Her research and conservation efforts involve conducting field research, primarily on reptiles and habitats altered by development, pollution and climate change. She facilitates science-based conflict resolution with industry and development by integrating results and recommendations into infrastructure designs, development plans and informing the community of environmental health impacts.
Andrews grew up in rural South Carolina and watched development rapidly displace natural landscapes. She dedicated her career to finding better solutions that accommodate both environmental and economic health. She acquired three degrees from UGA: a bachelor's degree in ecology, a master's degree in conservation ecology and sustainable development and a doctorate in ecology. Her graduate work was conducted at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Andrews also has engaged in international marine work for over 20 years.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
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- Member of the Advisory Board
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- Marine Resource Specialist
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- Aquarium Curator and Pre - K - 4 Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Marine
Risse is a double dawg, having received his bachelor and master's degrees at UGA in agricultural engineering and his Ph.D. in biological and agricultural engineering at Purdue University. At UGA, Risse has received recognition as a Fellow in the International Soil and Water Conservation Society. He is a Walter Bernard Hill Fellow, the university's highest honor for public service and outreach and is a life member of the UGA Rugby Club. Risse lives on a small beef cattle farm outside of Athens with his wife, Chris, and enjoys fishing, gardening, visiting his daughters and watching Georgia football games.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Michelle joined the unit in September 2021 and works regionally in the Southeast to connect Sea Grant programs with military community coastal resilience projects through a partnership with SERPPAS (Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability) and the Department of Defense REPI (Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration) program.
She comes to Georgia after six years as a coastal resilience lead in the Virginia Sea Grant extension program with Old Dominion University and six years with a coastal hazards center at East Carolina University where she also completed her Ph.D. in Coastal Resources Management. Michelle is a UGA alumna, having received her master's degree in zoology (marine science) after completing research at the UGA Marine Institute. She lives on her husband's family farm in Hartwell, Georgia, just a couple of miles from the Savannah River.
Job Titles:
- Maintenance Worker
- Maintenance Worker for Marine Extension
Mike was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and raised from Virginia to Louisiana. He served four years in the United States Navy and 30 years in the Fire Department. He enjoys spending time with his wife and family and has five kids and eight grandkids. In his free time, he also likes to fish, kayak, garden, cook and create music.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Georgia Sea Grant
was appointed the associate director of Georgia Sea Grant in 2015. In this role, she provides administrative and financial leadership to Marine Extension Georgia Sea Grant by directing the unit's research and fellowship portfolios, building partnerships, and ensuring the quality, relevance, and impact of the unit's activities in Georgia. Behl also holds public service and academic appointments at UGA, and is a Non-Residential Fellow with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Policy Program. Her applied research, education, and extension projects focus on building the adaptive capacity of local communities to impacts of extreme weather and climate change, and broadening participation in science.
Behl is passionate about improving access, engagement, and leadership development of women and minorities in science. She serves on the leadership board of Earth Science Women's Network, is a member of the AMS Culture and Inclusion Cabinet, and co-chairs the Mentoring Physical Oceanography Women to Increase Retention program. Behl is the founding member of AMS Early Career Leadership Academy, and Sea Grant's Community Engaged Internship program. She earned her bachelor's and master's degree in physics from Panjab University in India, and a doctorate in physical oceanography from Florida State University.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Educator and Student Coordinator
Sassano is a marine educator and intern coordinator for UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. She facilitates k-12 educational programming focused on coastal ecology and marine science for visiting groups to the aquarium. Sassano's special area of work for Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is overseeing the marine education fellows and summer interns, coordinating their schedules, providing them with appropriate feedback and training, and acting as a mentor to support growth in their careers.
Originally from the "Jersey shore," Sassano has always had an interest in the marine environment and education. Prior to her work with the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, she worked for MarineQuest at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she assisted in educational program facilitation and coordinated student interns, volunteers, and ongoing research projects. She has also served with AmeriCorps, worked as a naturalist at a forestry center, and conducted field research studying sea nettle jellyfish.
Sassano's favorite part of her job at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is sharing experiences with interns and fellows and helping them get started in their own careers.
Job Titles:
- Coastal Ecology Research Professional
- Coastal Ecology Research Professional - Coastal Ecology Lab
Thompson is a full-time staff member in Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant's Coastal Ecology Lab specializing in herpetology and natural resource conservation. He joined the lab in June 2018. Previously, he worked as a herpetology field technician at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in Southwest Georgia. Prior to his move to the southeastern U.S., Thompson worked a range of conservation jobs doing dune restoration with The Nature Conservancy and wildlife research in Massachusetts.
Thompson originally comes from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and attended Warren Wilson College just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, where he majored in environmental natural science with concentrations in conservation biology and sustainable agriculture.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
- Marine Education Volunteer
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- Member of the Advisory Board
- Good Shepherd Consulting Services
Job Titles:
- Administrative Financial Director
joined Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2018 as the fiscal officer before transitioning into the role of administrative financial director in 2019. She oversees the unit's administrative and financial duties and responsibilities. Karlsson has worked at UGA for almost 15 years in different administrative roles. She has a bachelor's degree in business, a master's in higher education administration, and will receive a doctorate in educational leadership in 2023.
Karlsson has two sons, Eric and Alex, and enjoys spending my time at home with her family and pets. She likes playing tennis, hiking and spending as much time as she can outdoors. She also enjoys going back home to Sweden each year to visit family in her home country.
Job Titles:
- Chef Manager
- Sea Grant Legal Program Director
As Chef Manager, Jones provides meals served to student and university groups participating in education programs at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium in Savannah.
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, he has an associate's degree in Culinary Arts and a bachelor's degree in Culinary Management from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. In his spare time, he enjoys relaxing and watching the Green Bay Packers on Sundays.
Two smaller powered vessels - a 23-foot Sea Ox with a forward cabin and a 21-foot Carolina Skiff - are available for water quality and inshore fishery research projects.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
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- Event and Scheduling Coordinator / Accts. Receivable
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- Member of the Advisory Board
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- Director of Shellfish Research Lab
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- Member of the Advisory Board
- Chatham County Extension Coordinator
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- Marine Operations Supervisor and Boat Captain
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- Public Relations Specialist