SNAPSHOT
Freelance science journalist with diverse background specializing in earth, ocean and environmental topics skilled at translating highly technical information for non-scientific audiences.
EXPERIENCE
Media and Communication
Freelance Contributor (ongoing since 2001)
Civil Engineering Surveyor, Chesire, United Kingdom.
Mapping California’s coast feature article, April 2010.
Coast & Ocean, California Coastal Conservancy quarterly magazine, Oakland, CA.
Ocean acidification feature article, Summer 2009. Marine debris article, Spring 2009.
Christian Science Monitor, Boston, MA, July 2008.
Environment package on Grand Canyon research after 2008 experimental dam release.
Soundwaves, national U.S. Geological Survey monthly newsletter, Menlo Park, CA.
Special Feature article, December 2006.
Men’s Health, national monthly magazine, Emmaus, PA. 2004.
Time Out New York, weekly magazine, New York City, NY. 2004.
The Coast, weekly newspaper, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 12/2001 – 12/2003.
Research and Policy
Senior Associate, ESA PWA, San Francisco, CA. 8/2010 – present.
Conduct technical assistance and project management on West Coast coastal and wetland restoration projects including the Sacramento Delta, Russian River Estuary, and several Puget Sound estuaries.
Project Manager, California Ocean Protection Council, Oakland, CA. 9/2008 – 8/2010.
Developed $3.3 million California Coastal Mapping Project. Led marine debris program, including Implementation Strategy and $50,000 cigarette litter abatement demonstration project. Managed $8 million in other ocean and coastal policy, monitoring and research projects. Interacted with public, lawmakers and the media.
Oceanographer, U. S. Geological Survey, Santa Cruz and Menlo Park, CA. 10/2004 – 9/2008.
Developed analysis techniques for coastal evolution near the Elwha Delta, WA, in preparation for dam removal. Conducted original research (numerical modeling and fieldwork) as part of the Deschutes Estuary Feasibility Study to examine scenarios of dam removal and estuary restoration. Synthesized global dataset to produce general model of nearshore sand-mud transition.
EDUCATION
M.Sc., Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 2003.
Thesis: “Environmental Controls on the Sand-Mud Transition and Applications to Heavy Metal Distributions.”
M.S., Journalism, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University, NYC, NY. 2001.
Thesis: “A Whisper in the Reeds – Are Constructed Wetlands Luring Wildlife into Toxic Soups?”
Completed requirements for Concentration in Health, Science and Environment Reporting.
B.S., Oceanography; Journalism (Minor), Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA. 1999.
Study Abroad Program, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia, 1997-1998.
Research Fellow, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 1999.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & VOLUNTEER WORK
National Geographic Book Ideas Panel, 2009 – present
American Geophysical Union (AGU), member, 1999 – present
National Association of Science Writers, member, 2001 – 2002
Sea Kayak Guide/Trainer, Environmental Traveling Companions, San Francisco, CA, 2006 – present
