Long Island’s Great White Shark Research

As the manager of the Marine Sciences Center at the Southampton campus, my primary responsibility is to maintain the Center’s computerized, state-of the-art 5,000 sq. ft. combined indoor/outdoor seawater lab that contains three different seawater scenarios (ambient seawater, temperature control seawater, and a recirculation system). In addition to the upkeep of the lab, I actively assist graduate students and research faculty set-up and trouble shoot various research projects in the fields of harmful algal blooms, ocean acidification, seagrasses, shellfish, and ocean acoustics.

In addition to managing the wet lab, I am the Center’s naturalist, responsible for giving tours about the flora and fauna of Shinnecock Bay to members of the general public. From elementary school children to adults, our public outreach programs are vital to spreading the word about the important research taking place at SoMAS.

Born and raised on Long Island, I have been exploring the wilds of Long Island for over 30 years. My passion for coastal ecology, but more importantly fishing, led me to obtain a BS in Marine Science from Southampton College of Long Island University. Outside of Stony Brook University I am a member of both the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) and the New York State Outdoor Writers Association (NYSOWA), freelance writing and supplying photography for several outdoor publications. Prior to working for Stony Brook University, I was the senior aquarist at the Long Island Aquarium for thirteen years and the educational coordinator and stranding tech for the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research for four years prior to working at the aquarium.