Sarah Cooley, Director of Ocean Acidification Program at Ocean Conservancy

Dr. Cooley’s scholarly focus spans ocean carbon cycling, science communication, and science-based policy development. Her work at Ocean Conservancy uses science synthesis, strategic communications, political strategy and advocacy, and public advocacy.

Lisa Clough, Ocean Section Head at US National Science Foundation

Lisa Clough has been the Ocean Section Head at the US National Science Foundation for five years. Prior to that she was an NSF Program Director for four years, and a University Professor and Administrator at East Carolina University for 20 years.  She is also a wife, mother, and avid baseball fan.

Jaqui Tweedle, Research Fellow at University of Aberdeen

I am an oceanographer by training, and have also worked in policy as a marine spatial planner. I currently work for the University of Aberdeen in the UK, but am funded by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to work closely with marine planning and policy organisations and government departments. I help facilitate these organisations’ access to and uptake of marine research, and educate marine researchers on the needs of those involved in marine policy and governance. I do this both at a national and international level.

Katy Croff Bell, Director of Open Ocean Initiative at MIT Media Labs

Dr. Katy Croff Bell is the Founding Director of the Open Ocean initiative at the MIT Media Lab, and a Fellow at the National Geographic Society. She is a deep sea explorer with a background in ocean engineering, maritime archaeology, and geological oceanography, and has led dozens of expeditions around the world. Bell is passionate about developing new ways to better understand the ocean and make it more accessible to everyone around the world.

Peter Spain, Technical Marketing at Teledyne RD Instruments

Hailing from the land downunder, Dr. Peter Spain studied Ocean Physics at the Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington. His focus was instruments for measuring ocean currents. In 1990, Peter joined RD Instruments where his work in Technical Marketing has ranged from sales staff thru department and business unit management to staff scientist.  Since 1998, Peter has been Manufacturer’s Liaison for the IEEE / OES Current Metering Technology Committee. He is also a career mentor for The Oceanography Society.

Chris Verlinden, CTO – Applied Ocean Sciences

Chris Verlinden was a Coast Guard Officer for 14 years, during which time he completed his doctoral work in Oceanography, with a focus in Ocean Acoustics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Upon separating from active duty, in January 2019 Chris, together with 16 of his favorite oceanographers started Applied Ocean Sciences (AOS) LLC. Chris now serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at AOS.

Eric Siegel, Director of Sales and Marketing at RBR

Eric Siegel is a physical oceanographer and RBR’s Director of Sales and Marketing. He enjoys collaborating with clients to develop new applications and innovative oceanographic measurement solutions. He has a master’s in physical oceanography from University of South Florida and an MBA from Northeastern University.

Jack Butler, Research Associate at Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission

Jack is a Research Associate with Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Research Institute in the Florida Keys, where he develops and refines new technologies and techniques to study the commercial spiny lobster fishery. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Florida, his PhD in ecoacoustics from Old Dominion University studying how habitat degradation alters marine soundscapes and larval recruitment, and studied as a postdoctoral research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography examining kelp forest soundscapes and community assemblages.