Background

With over 10 years of experience working in the marine trades and sciences, I have a genuine appreciation of the marine environment and remain curious about our ever-changing marine ecosystem.   

My experience working on the waterfront began during high school when I got a job working in the kitchen of a seafood restaurant in Barnstable, Massachusetts. From there, I worked at a marina in East Dennis, Massachusetts where I repaired docks and boats.

Eventually, I attended college and earned my Bachelor's degree in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, where I also worked for the Division of Marine Operations as a deckhand. After graduating from college, I returned to Cape Cod to sample beach water for the Barnstable County Department of Health and work at the marina in East Dennis. 

My career then led me to an oyster farm and hatchery on the Damariscotta River in Maine. Working in the hatchery, I fertilized oyster eggs to grow juvenile oysters for distribution to oyster farms from Maine to Virginia. I also harvested market-ready oysters from the Damariscotta River, year round, in all weather conditions. 

After a few years at the oyster farm, I pursued a Master's degree in Marine Affairs from University of Rhode Island to complement my science-based undergraduate degree and expand my experience in marine resource management and outreach. I was accepted into the 1-year graduate program due to my extensive experience working in the marine trades. After earning my Master of Marine Affairs degree, I worked on a couple of luxury yachts and a commercial fishing vessel, all based out of Rhode Island.

In 2015, I was hired to work for NOAA Fisheries as a research assistant for the Social Sciences Branch at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's Narragansett Laboratory, kickstarting my career with NOAA. After my contract was complete, I accepted a position as a fisheries management specialist with the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where I developed science-based fisheries management policy and outreach for constituents from Maine to North Carolina for 6 years. In 2022 I accepted a position at the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center as Strategic Advisor, where I current;y work. In this role I work with staff and the Directorate to plan our $121 million budget in alignment with our strategic priorities to achieve our mission.   

As I grow into my career, I remain curious about science and marine policy and am constantly looking for opportunities to forge partnerships in order to foster growth within the science community and beyond. 

Check out my current resume here.