Faces of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center Series - 2021
Staff profiles for the Southeast Fisheries Science Center from 2021.
Meet some of our amazing team. These are the profiles written in 2021. Our current year profiles can be found on our center series page.
Adriane Michaelis
Aquaculture Social Scientist
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I conduct research and provide expertise related to the social dimensions of aquaculture, such as who benefits from aquaculture expansion and how. Specifically, my position focuses on supporting the development of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas and assisting regional teams when considering the potential social impacts of aquaculture siting. I also provide input and social science expertise related to aquaculture projects and permitting in the Southeast region.
Andrea Kroetz
Assistant Scientist
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My research focuses on the biology and ecology of sharks, rays, and bony fish. I collect and analyze data on trophic ecology, habitat use, movement ecology, and life history for many species in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) and U.S. South Atlantic. A large portion of my research supports the recovery of endangered smalltooth sawfish and I am currently leading research to update age and growth information of the species.
Andy Davis
Pelagic Observer Program's Safety Coordinator
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I am the Pelagic Observer Program’s Safety Coordinator. I also serve as the primary liaison with the highly migratory species pelagic longline fishing industry and am in charge of procurement.
Braydon Mikesell
Operations, Management, and Information Division Director
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I manage major support elements that are essential parts of the mission at the science center. That includes overseeing budget and contracting, administrative support, information technology, and facilities. It has been the best work adventure to date and I love what I do!
Canh Nguyen
Fisheries Methods and Equipment Specialist
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I have a long history with turtle excluder devices in the shrimp fishery. I provide outreach about TEDs to the shrimping community—in English and Vietnamese. I conduct at-sea and dockside courtesy TED inspections, TED building workshops, and inspection training for law enforcement.
Corinne Paterson
Research Associate
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I am Senior Research Associate for the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies. I work in the center’s Marine Mammal Molecular Genetics Laboratory as a lab technician. We use various genetics techniques to answer questions about marine mammals in the western North Atlantic and Gulf of America. I am responsible for maintaining the samples received from various partners as well as working on multiple research projects. As part of those projects I perform DNA extractions, amplifications, and analysis using different types of molecular markers.
Dave Gloeckner
Director of the Fisheries Statistics Division
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I lead the Fisheries Statistics Division, which includes all the fisheries dependent data collections, managing and disseminating that data for use in science and management. As well, this includes making advances in the way we collect, manage, and disseminate fisheries dependent information.
Elena Flores
Graduate Scholar
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I am a NOAA’s Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems scholar. I started working at the science center’s Galveston facility in July 2021. I’m currently conducting shrimp experiments to evaluate a new tag used in shrimp. Our field sites are mainly in coastal marshes, mangroves, and oyster reefs. My lab group and I perform other duties such as rehabilitating the wet lab facility, conducting field work, boat maintenance, and helping with other shrimp projects.
Enric Cortes
Research Fishery Biologist
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I lead the Shark Stock Assessment Group. With different colleagues throughout my tenure, we have been conducting domestic and international shark stock assessments for the U.S. East Coast since 1998. I also do research on shark population dynamics and quantitative conservation biology as time allows.
Farron Wallace
Director of the Fisheries, Assessment, Technology, and Engineering Support Division
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I am the director of the Fisheries, Assessment, Technology, and Engineering Support Division. I oversee four branches that provide essential services and development of new innovative technologies to support the center’s mission.
Jason Letort
Fisheries Methods & Equipment Specialist
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I am a gear specialist focusing on turtle excluder devices. I provide training to commercial shrimp fishermen, industry members, and law enforcement in an effort to conserve sea turtles through gear compliance. As a dive team member, I participate in the testing of TED design, efficacy, and determining exclusion rate.
John Carlson
Research Fishery Biologist
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My research focuses on biological and analytical work relating to population dynamics and life history of sharks. A major portion of my current research, which I have been doing for over the last 10 years, has been directed toward supporting recovery of endangered elasmobranchs such as, sharks, rays, and skates.
Laura Dias
Marine Mammal Scientist
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I am a marine mammal researcher who works on a multitude of projects through the Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Studies. I serve as a marine mammal observer and data manager during line transect large vessel and aerial surveys. I also manage the data collected and assist with analysis and publishing the results.
Luis Noguerol
Information System Security Officer
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I chair the cybersecurity operation for the center. Part of my job is developing and carrying out new standards, policies, and cybersecurity processes. As the "gatekeeper," my main goal is to keep our information secure while enabling our staff the ability to securely meet the agency's critical mission and goals.
Mark Ladd
Coral Research Scientist
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I lead the Coral Research and Assessment Lab (CoRAL) Team at the science center. My role is to seek funding and research opportunities, develop projects, and conduct research that helps us manage, conserve and restore populations of corals. I’m primarily focused on those listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in Florida and throughout the Caribbean.
Mridula Srinivasan
Marine Mammal and Turtle Division Director
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I oversee research operations, from administrative to scientific activities related to marine mammal and sea turtle research and conservation. This supports NOAA Fisheries’ mission of protecting marine mammals and sea turtles, and helping recover endangered species populations. Temporarily, I also oversee reef fish ecology, coral reef ecology and restoration activities, and habitat/ecosystem science programs.
Ruth Ewing
Veterinary Medical Officer
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I lead and manage scientific and technical issues related to health and disease of marine mammals for the center’s Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. I help to develop and lead research that supports comprehensive veterinary and ecosystem health management approaches for marine mammals and aquatic animals. In doing so, I conduct mortality investigations on dead stranded marine mammals, kind of like when a medical examiner does an autopsy on humans. This includes leading necropsies and subsequently “reading” tissue samples taken during necropsies using a microscope to identify disease if present. I also conduct visual health assessments on free-swimming cetaceans for body condition and skin lesions.
Shannon Cass-Calay
Director of the Sustainable Fisheries Division
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I serve as the Director of the Sustainable Fisheries Division. I conduct and oversee numerous stock assessments of marine fish in the Gulf of America and the Atlantic, including red snapper, red grouper, yellowedge grouper, vermilion snapper, king mackerel as well as yellowfin, bigeye, and bluefin tunas.
Todd Kellison
Director of the Population and Ecosystems Monitoring Division
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I have recently served in roles as the Beaufort Fisheries Ecosystems Branch Chief and the Mississippi Laboratories Division Director. Following the center’s realignment, I will serve as the Director of the newly-formed Population and Ecosystems Monitoring Division. Our areas of focus include fishery-independent surveys and applied research providing data, analytical products, research, and expertise to support NOAA Fisheries priorities.
Vivian Matter
Data Analysis and Assessment Support Branch Chief
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I worked for 16 years integrating recreational data from various surveys and data collection programs used for assessments and management in the Southeast. I recently became chief of the new Data Analysis and Assessment Support branch in the Sustainable Fisheries Division. Our branch provides analytical data products used in stock assessments in the Gulf of America and South Atlantic.