Position: Professor of Environmental Communication
Institution: Loyola University New Orleans
Additional Roles:
- Director, Center for Environmental Communication
- Loyola Distinguished Scholar Chair in Environmental Communication
- Adjunct Professor, Biological Sciences
- Member, Environment Program Faculty
Education:
- PhD in Evolutionary Biology – Texas A&M University
- Post-doctoral Fellow in Biochemistry – LSU Medical Center
Professional Background:
- Founding Director – Louisiana Nature Center
- Past President – Association of Nature Center Administrators
- Member – Accreditation Commission, American Association of Museums
- Chair – Environmental Advisory Committee, Strategic Petroleum Reserve
- Adjunct Professorships – University of New Orleans, Tulane University, Louisiana State University
Teaching Specialties:
- Plant identification
- Natural history concepts
- Louisiana flora characteristics
Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Institution: Loyola University New Orleans
Additional Roles:
- Director, Environment Program
- Co-Principal Investigator – NSF-funded project “OUTSIDE: Over, Under, and Through: Students Informally Discover the Environment”
Education:
- MS in Environmental Biology – University of Southern Mississippi
- PhD in Biology Education – University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
Current Courses:
- Environmental Science
- Entomology
- Evolution
- Tropical Ecology
- Resilience and Sustainability
- Investigating Nature
- BioInquiry
Areas of Expertise:
- Spider and Insect Natural History
- Tropical and Local Natural History
- Science and Environmental Education
- Urban Environmental Issues
- Informal Education and Outreach
Position: Chairman, Department of Biology and Physical Sciences
Institution: University of Holy Cross, New Orleans
Education:
- BA – University of Virginia
- MS – University of Colorado
- PhD – University of Georgia
- Dissertation: The effects of residential development on interspecific grouping in the brown-headed nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)
Publications:
- Author of numerous original research articles
- “Bird distribution among marsh types on the Northern Gulf of Mexico” (2018)
- Book: “Birding Made Easy-New Orleans” (2013)
Areas of Interest:
- Bird migration
- Bird distribution
- Urban wildlife
- Biogeography
- Coastal issues
- Applied statistics
- Effects of weather on wildlife populations
- Hurricane meteorology
- Climatology
- Urban environmental planning
Position: Coastal Scientist
Institution: Pontchartrain Conservancy (2012-present)
Additional Role: Instructor, Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University
Education:
- BA – Tulane University, New Orleans
- MS – Southeastern Louisiana University
- PhD – Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
- Dissertation: Analysis of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Resources across the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Communities and Biomass
Key Publications:
- Estuarine submerged aquatic vegetation habitat provides organic carbon storage across a shifting landscape.
- Salinity and water clarity dictate seasonal variability in coastal submerged aquatic vegetation in subtropical estuarine environments.
Research Interests:
- Submerged aquatic vegetation and seagrasses
- Blue carbon (carbon captured by ocean and coastal ecosystems)
- Climate change impacts on coastal environments
Position: Director, Coastal Education Program
Institution: Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of New Orleans
Additional Role: Research Associate, University of New Orleans
Education:
- BS – University of Wales
- MA – University of New Orleans
Professional Service:
- Louisiana Governor’s Commission on Environmental Education (2009-present)
Teaching & Outreach:
- Hosts field-based workshops for students, teachers, and adults
- Locations: UNO’s Shea Penland Coastal Education and Research Facility, Bayou Sauvage, and other sites
- Co-author and instructor: “Coastal Processes, Hazards, and Society” (online course at Pennsylvania State University and UNO)
Awards:
- LMNGNO Percy Viosca Outstanding Naturalist Award (2020)
- Informal Science Educator of the Year Award, Louisiana Science Teachers Association (2017)
Position: Director, Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station (2001-present)
Institution: Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond
Additional Role: Instructor of Biological Sciences
Education:
- BA in Accounting – Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
- MS in Environmental Science – Louisiana State University
- PhD in Land Resources – University of Wisconsin
Media Presence:
- Host of “Backyard Wonders” – Southeastern Channel
- Host of “Northshore Gems” – Southeastern Channel
- (Both programs produced by award-winning Southeastern University’s “Southeastern Channel”)
Courses Taught:
- Environmental Management: The Greening of Business
- Environmental Awareness
Research Interests:
- Socio-economic impacts of human-environment interactions
- Environmental management strategies
Position: Marine Fisheries Biologist
Institution: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (August 2016-present)
Education:
- BS in Environmental Sciences – Loyola University, New Orleans
- MS in Biology – University of Southern Mississippi
Research Projects:
- Effect of Vegetation Type and Patch Geometry on Marsh Nekton in Coastal Mississippi
- Assessment of coastal fish assemblages before and after the Deep Horizon oil spill
- Habitat use and effects of Deep Horizon oil spill on marsh fishes in the Mississippi River Delta of Coastal Louisiana
Areas of Interest:
- Preservation of coastal ecosystems
- Interaction of humans, nekton (crabs, shrimp, and aquatic insects), and aquatic vegetation
- Coastal fisheries management
Background:
- Became involved in wetland issues in the early 1990s
- Member of inaugural 2012 LMNGNO class
- LMNGNO Board of Directors (2012-2016)
Professional Achievements:
- Executive Producer – Documentary “Bayou of the Lost: The Legacy of the Labranche Wetlands” (1999)
- Produced in association with WYES-TV and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
- Project Manager – Cypress Restoration Project (2007-2010)
- Four-year project funded by the Coypu Foundation
- Conducted in the Pontchartrain Basin
- Purpose: Determine critical factors for successful restoration in impacted wetlands
Conservation Work:
- Caretaker – Longue Vue’s Wild Garden (2008-2016)
- Caretaker – New Orleans Botanical Garden’s Native Garden (2017-2020)
Position: Community Science Director
Institution: Healthy Gulf Organization (2019-present)
Previous Role: Wetland Specialist, Gulf Restoration Network (1994-2019)
Education:
- BS in Ecology – University of Georgia
- BA in English – University of Georgia
- MA – University of New Orleans
Professional Focus:
- Extensive background in wetlands and fisheries
- Supports Healthy Gulf’s Science and Water Policy team
- Analyzes wetlands restoration projects
- Provides scientific arguments against harmful developments
- Conducts emergency field observations
- Represents Healthy Gulf in public forums
Current Activities:
- Active in ISeeChange and Public Lab
- Exploring novel technologies for environmental observation
- Specializes in drone and kite aerial photography
Position: Instructor, Department of Biology
Institution: Xavier University of Louisiana
Education:
- BS – Xavier University of Louisiana
- MS in Biology – Auburn University
- Thesis: The Physiological Effects of Bright Plumage Coloration
Professional Recognition:
- 2017 Institute of Environmental Communication Fellow
Publications:
- Co-author on physiological aspects of carotenoid plumage coloration in American goldfinches (Carduelis tristis)
- Co-author on presence of non-native, breeding Asian swamp eel (Amphipnous cuchia) population in Bayou St. John
Research Interests:
- Conservation of native plant and animal species
- Preservation of coastal ecosystems
- Removal of invasive species
Background: Visual artist and biologist with 25 years combining artistic practice with environmental work
Education:
- BS in Biology – Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR
- BFA with studio major in Sculpture – University of New Orleans
Professional Experience:
- Research Associate – LSUMC Pharmacology
- Water Pollution Control Field Inspector – LDEQ
- Native Plant Specialist – Longue Vue Wild Garden
- Art-Science Program Leader – A Studio In The Woods (for at-risk high school students)
- Art Historian – Dixon and Dixon Galleries
- Environmental Consultant – Kanner Law Firm and Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Current Projects:
- Preparing to publish “The Big Easy Native Plant Guide” for New Orleans home gardeners
- Painting series comparing Louisiana birds today with Audubon’s “Birds of America” from 200 years ago
Position: Director of Environmental Stewardship
Institution: New Orleans City Park (since 2007)
Education & Credentials:
- BS in Civil Engineering – Tulane University
- Registered Professional Engineer in Louisiana
- LEED Accredited Professional
Professional Background:
- Joined City Park in 2007 following Hurricane Katrina
- Led rebuilding efforts and construction of new facilities
- Founded and expanded the Park’s Green Team
- Transformed recycling initiative into comprehensive sustainability program
Professional Recognition:
- Past President – New Orleans Chapter, American Society of Civil Engineers
- Certified Louisiana Master Naturalist
- Member – Native Plant Initiative
- Fellow – Environmental Communication, Loyola University
- Producer – “Going Green” show on WRBH, Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped
Focus Areas:
- Sustainable park operations
- Urban water management
- Environmental stewardship
Position: Education Coordinator
Institution: Pontchartrain Conservancy
Professional Experience:
- 20 years in formal and informal education settings
- Former National Park Service educator
- Designed and facilitated community science programs
- Created Nature’s Notebook phenology trails
Educational Philosophy:
- Provides opportunities for critical thinking
- Emphasizes problem-solving and collaboration
- Creates engaging, standards-based science curricula
Credentials:
- Certificate in Urban Environmental Education
- Certificate in Environmental Education Outcomes
- Florida teaching certificate (9 years)
- Louisiana teaching certificate (5 years)
Specialties:
- Environmental education program development
- Community science initiatives
- Standards-based curriculum design