Our Team

I joined the Benioff Oceans team in 2019 to lead the Clean Currents Coalition and our portfolio on plastic pollution. I also serve our team by enabling team effectiveness, advancing organizational growth, and managing external partnerships. I am highly motivated to collaborate with experts to develop actionable solutions to ocean health challenges and implement those solutions in the water. This drive has taken me through diverse topics throughout my career, including sustainable seafood, fisheries, marine spatial planning, and plastic pollution. I spend most of my free time on the Santa Barbara playground circuit, and also enjoy running, swimming, and Saturday afternoons at the beach.

I provide scientific guidance across the Benioff Oceans portfolio, particularly our DEIJ and mentorship initiatives. I am a community ecologist working in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. My research generally focuses on increasing our understanding of the effects of wildlife loss and human disturbance on community structure and ecosystem function. Recent work has focused particularly on the effects of wildlife loss on human health and well-being under various climatic conditions.

I provide scientific guidance across the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory portfolio. I feel immensely privileged to have experienced the ocean, especially the deep ocean, in the way I have, so I have a deep desire to see effective stewardship measures applied, as well as the engagement of a broader group of global stakeholders towards this effort. The lines between work and play are often blurred but I love any opportunity to spend time in nature.

I manage the Whale Safe platform where I work with whale and vessel data for reducing fatal ship strikes off of California’s coast. I am inspired by the interconnectedness of our natural world and motivated to protect biodiversity and maintain a healthy ocean environment. When I’m not working you can find me reading a good book, planning my next travel adventure, playing in the ocean, or spending time with my fur babies.

I work across our portfolio of projects to automate the ingestion, processing, and dissemination of data so that we can share our data-based insights with the community. With many years of experience in cloud application development, I am well-versed in API and database management. I am passionate about the ocean and its inhabitants and hope to use science-based outreach to raise awareness about the health of the ocean and enact protective measures to safeguard it for future generations. During my free time, I enjoy catching waves, creating unique wooden pieces on a lathe, and immersing myself in the latest video games.

I work on our Clean Currents Coalition project aimed at preventing marine plastic pollution through interventions in rivers, primarily managing the Coalition’s global dataset and science communications. My mind is perpetually blown by the sheer size and raw power of the ocean and I find peace in its wild and enigmatic beauty. When I’m not in the office, you'll usually catch me outside. I’m fond of redwoods, campfires, and desert sunsets, and my favorite mode of transportation is a bicycle.

I use my expertise in data science and conservation planning to reduce the risk of whale ship strikes and protect marine life. When I'm not crunching numbers in the lab, I can be found bobbing on a surfboard, swimming in the ocean, and exploring tide pools. With a blend of scientific expertise, a passion for adventure, and a desire to share the ocean's wonders with others, I am committed to protecting biodiversity for future generations to come.

I’m lucky to be part of the Benioff Oceans team, where I lead our efforts to protect marine ecosystems from the emerging threat of deep-sea mining through advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and science. I also direct our SharkEye program, which monitors great white shark populations along the coast using drones and artificial intelligence. I fell in love with the ocean upon taking my first breath of compressed air in a kelp forest, where I found a new meaning for serene. Diving after a mass-bleaching event in the Great Barrier Reef evoked a different feeling, one that has fueled my pursuit of a career in ocean conservation. Some of my favorite hobbies include skiing powder, surfing logs, playing cello, and dancing freely.

I manage operational tasks of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory and provide administrative support to the director, staff researchers, and partners. I also lead the Sea the Future mentorship program, one of our DEIJ initiatives. My fondest memories are of my times at the ocean. My love for animals and the natural environment has fed my passion for this work, but it is my affinity for the ocean that ties me to marine conservation. When I’m not working, I like going to the beach, painting, and traveling. My favorite land animal is the elephant (and my dog, Piper), and my favorite sea animal is the whale shark.

My focus at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory is to provide technological leadership across all scientist-led projects. We have built a platform used to detect and count ocean plastic, track data on vessel speeds near whales, and identify sharks using drones. While I spent my career in data and machine learning, I've come to appreciate the ocean from a lifetime of adventure it has provided me via diving and sailing. I love giving back and have enjoyed teaching sailing and conservation at Hudson River Sailing Club, diving at the NY aquarium, launching Global Fishing Watch, and now in my wonderful role at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory while based in NYC.

I’m a graduate student in the McCauley Lab and the lead researcher of the Spotting Giant Sea Bass project. Through my research, I’m looking to answer important questions on the life history and biology of giant sea bass. I’m deeply passionate about marine conservation and I seek to better understand the critically endangered giant sea bass to bring back these charismatic giants, along with helping rejuvenate the kelp forests that so many communities rely on. Also, I’m a photographer who enjoys documenting the natural world in hopes to generate appreciation towards our blue planet and inspire people to experience nature to its fullest extent.

I am a postdoc leading a quantitative analysis of international policy options for reducing plastic pollution globally. I have a background in Environmental Engineering from the University of Nottingham, UK and a masters from Arizona State University (ASU) in Sustainability. My PhD is in Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering where my interests lay in applying circular economy principals for solid waste management (SWM); specializing in plastics and landfill mining. I have worked on sustainability for the United Nations in Vienna, with NGOs in India on slum sanitation, and for the Government of Singapore's Solid Waste Branch. I am Austrian and Indian and thus speak fluent German, English, Kannada and Tamil. I also have a working proficiency of Spanish and Hindi.

I am a software engineer involved in developing systems for the Clean Currents Coalition and SharkEye projects, which aim to reduce plastic waste and safeguard ocean ecosystems. Recognizing the ocean's pivotal role as a crucial element within the intricate interconnectedness of life on our planet, I find it imperative to dedicate my efforts towards its protection. I feel fortunate to apply my computer science skills towards the preservation of the ocean, as it allows me to make a meaningful impact beyond the realm of technology. During my free time, I enjoy exploring new electronic music and sounds, exercising, hiking, and petting my bunny.

My primary focus is on the Clean Currents Coalition project based in Baltimore Harbor, USA, where we are developing AI systems on the Baltimore trash wheels. I work to bridge the gap between hardware and software, and to the best of my ability, provide mechanical and programming knowledge to help better capture data about pollution entering the ocean. I believe we all have a responsibility to leave the earth in a better state than we found it. I’m very happy to be working on this project, which allows me to do what I love: design and build hardware, and help improve the ocean environment.

I work on the machine learning and engineering components of the SharkEye project. I am excited to be building technology that both makes beachgoers feel safer while enjoying the ocean and collects data to deepen our understanding of Great White Sharks. I love being a part of this team of ocean-lovers committed to building tools to help the marine environments of this world. When I’m not working, I pursue my passions for free diving, cooking, tracking pelagic fish, and surf forecasting.

I maintain the Spotting Giant Sea Bass social media accounts and “webscrape” by reaching out to community scientists via social media to encourage them to submit their encounters to our research! I’ve always loved the ocean and it’s a big reason why I came to UCSB. Outside of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, I am an undergraduate student studying Aquatic Biology and Museums Studies. In my free time, I love tidepooling and birdwatching.

I provide technical advice on the River Plastics project, in which we aim to quantify plastic pollution collected by Trash Wheels in Baltimore using artifical intelligence. In addition to my role at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, I am an oceanographer based at Imperial College London. I have always been interested in understanding how planet Earth works, so dedicating my career to studying and protecting the ocean, which covers more than 70% of the Earth, was an easy choice and the best I could make. When not working, you can find me adventuring in the outdoors or communicating science. I love skiing, surfing, and hiking.

I manage and create content for the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory social media accounts and help with internal and external science communications. The ocean provides me with joy so I want to be able to give back to it by protecting it from further anthropogenic harm. I grew up in New York City but have always known I belong in California. In my free time I love to surf, hike, rock climb, or do anything outdoors which is not possible in the city.

I aid with spot mapping sea bass submissions, data entry, and public outreach for the Spotting Giant Sea Bass project. My interest in marine science research stems from a deep fascination and appreciation for marine ecosystems. I would like to utilize scientific research to protect and restore marine habitats that have been severely damaged by anthropogenic activity. Outside of work I love to bake, read, and explore the local Santa Barbara beaches and wetlands.

I help with the spot mapping of giant sea bass encounters, conduct internet research to gather and analyze data, and support community outreach efforts for our Spotting Giant Sea Bass project. I grew up by the ocean and I have always been in awe of its beauty, mystery, and tranquility. I am driven to protect marine environments to ensure that their essential ecosystem services can continue to sustain our planet for future generations. In my free time, I love to read, teach, and explore nature through hiking, free diving, and rock climbing!