Howdy!

I’m originally from Texas, but I’ve been in the Tampa Bay area for well over two decades.   I have a BS in Marine Biology, a MS in Biology and a PhD (From Texas A&M University) in Oceanography.  My full-time work is managing hundreds of thousands of acres of underwater preserves and some islands, but I have taught a variety of courses in various colleges and universities over the past 30 years.

My work in oceanography and coastal management has taken me from the marshes of Texas and Louisiana to the reefs of the Florida Keys and French Polynesia.  I’ve studied the depths of the Gulf of Mexico from research vessels, and that includes diving in some pretty harsh conditions.  Two of my favorite projects at this time are using 360 video for virtual reality outreach and developing Tampa Bay’s first long-term hardbottom habitat monitoring program to see what happens to corals, sponges, etc. over time.  Over the past 10 years, I’ve been invited by government entities and universities in China and Vietnam to serve as a coastal management advisor on a variety of projects.

Just as my insights into biology help me to live in awe of the natural world around me, I also derive a lot of joy from experiencing different cultures.  My work in China has led to my performing Chinese pop songs (in Mandarin) in front of audiences of a few hundred people, and, a couple of years ago, I served as the first non-Chinese president of the area’s oldest Chinese-American association.  I encourage everyone to seek experiences outside of their comfort zone, whether it is learning about other cultures or learning something about biology.