Hello,
We are the 2010 GSTC Night Patrol Team. Before the season kicks off we would like to let you know a little more about each of us. Below we’ve each briefly described our backgrounds and why we are excited to be part of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center AmeriCorps Night Patrol Team!
(L to R: Joe, Elissa, Kim, Chrissy, Renee, Heather, Christina, Rachel, Adam)
Chrissy Bissett
I graduated in July 2009 from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with my Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology. Before I graduated, I did an independent study with one of my professors when I monitored Figure Eight Island for sea turtle nests. I also interned at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. My fondness for sea turtles started in college, and has become closer to an obsession. I’m very glad to be here, and I hope to learn a whole lot more about these wonderful creatures.
Adam Dispenza
Raised on Sanibel Island, FL, I went to school at the University of West Florida in Pensacola where I received a BA degree in Communication Arts. Even though I’m not a science major, I hope to use that degree to create conservation films and write Children’s books to educate kids about endangered species. Before attending UWF, I was a volunteer at the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island where I taught visitors about the local mangrove ecology. I also volunteered at CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) for over a decade where I often worked closely with Gopher Tortoises and other turtles. My sea turtle experience began at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation where I assisted in morning sea turtle patrols. Besides volunteering at various wildlife organizations, I have acquired the majority of my knowledge at home by keeping and breeding numerous reptiles and amphibians.
Christina Martin
I am a recent graduate from the University of Florida where I received my degree in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, as well as a minor in Chemistry. I was a member and secretary of the Wildlife Society UF Chapter as well as a member of the UF chemistry club during my Junior and Senior years. Last summer I interned at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission where I worked with manatees conducting field necropsies, photo identification, and radio tracking. During that same summer, I worked with Loggerhead turtles by conducting morning walks and excavations in Jupiter, Florida. I have also traveled to Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras to do amphibian and reptile research, and am very excited to now be a part of the turtle research program here on Jekyll Island.
Heather McCarn
Aloha! I graduated in May 2009 from the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science as well as Psychology. While pursuing my degree, I volunteered as a member of the Hilo Marine Mammal Response Network in connection with NOAA. Our main focus was protecting the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal as well as any whales, dolphins, and turtles that needed help. I am originally from Oregon (Go Beavers!!) and grew up visiting the Oregon Coast and searching through the tide pools and watching the whales. I have always had a fascination for creatures in the ocean and I am super excited to begin Turtle Patrols in May and enjoy my experience at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
Elissa Monahan
I graduated from the University of Colorado- Boulder with a degree in Environmental Science and minors in Biology and Geography. I also have a certificate in Hydrology and Water Resources. While at CU I completed an Earth Education internship program. I have volunteered in Panama with a Leatherback and Manatee conservation project in San San Wetland Reserve. I am very excited to be part of GSTC patrol team this summer and look forward to learning more about Sea Turtles and Sea Turtle conservation efforts.
Renee Roesler
Hello! I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in May 2009 with a BS in Marine Biology. My love for marine life started when I lived in Maine for two years when I was younger but it wasn’t until college that my love for sea turtles began. Prior to being here at GSTC I did an internship last fall at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, FL. My work was with the Sea Turtle Rehab Department but I also got to work with their cow nose stingrays and nurse sharks. I love sea turtles and I hope working with sea turtles becomes my career one day. I’m glad to be here at GSTC and I can’t wait for patrolling to start in May. I think sea turtles are amazing animals and I hope to learn more about what’s being done to conserve these beautiful creatures of the sea.
Joseph Scarola
Hailing from Laguna Niguel, California, Joseph Scarola spent his younger years at Dana Hills High School where his interest in the ocean sparked from a Marine Biology class taught by Mr. Marv Sherrill. A year-long class followed by a ten day expedition to Bahia de Los Animas in Baja California. He went on to graduate with a degree in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and has continued his passion for the ocean by earning his Advanced SUBA Certification. Just back from a six month sea turtle conservation project in Cape Verde, Africa from June till December 2009, he is one of nine new AmeriCorps members at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. He is looking forward to a great season and learning new things at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Peace. SOS Tartarugas.
Rachel Sommer
I graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science and minors in Biology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Prior to my graduation I completed an internship through the Coastal Watershed Institute where I worked with oysters and oyster reef restoration in South West Florida. Upon graduation I worked part-time for Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in the Fisheries program under Dr. Aaron Adams, where I was responsible for monitoring fish populations in mangrove creeks of Southwest Florida. I also spent time working with Mote Marine’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program doing morning patrols. I most recently began volunteering at Clearwater Marine Aquarium working with Bottlenose dolphins, North America River Otters, and Sea Turtles. I am so excited to be a part of the Night Patrol here at GSTC and can’t wait to learn more about these amazing creatures!
Kimberly Tomczak
I graduated from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife. While at UNL, I became interested in marine biology. After obtaining my Bachelors Degree, I volunteered in Costa Rica with a marine research organization. I took part in night patrols monitoring the Olive Ridley sea turtle. I am excited to be a member of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and look forward to working with Georgia’s sea turtles.
The Patrol Team Leader will be joining the team April 1, 2010. Some of you might remember her fromt the 2008 Patrol Team…Please welcome back Emily Walker!
Thank you for your time. Please check back with us soon as we’ll be blogging throughout the season about our experiences here at Jekyll Island and presenting at the July Lecture Series (held every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Brunswick Library, 7pm)
Sincerely,
The 2010 Patrol Team
