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Science and Research
RAMP | August 11, 2014: Meet the Participants
CHIEF SCIENTIST
Scott Godwin, Resource Protection Program Specialist
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Scott began his career at the Smithsonian Institution conducting research projects focused on marine alien species and how they are transported by human activities. There he also was trained in marine invertebrate taxonomy. He came to Hawaiʻi in 1997 to work as marine biologist for the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, where he continued his work on marine alien species and managed the marine invertebrate collections. Scott has been working in the NWHI since 1999 as a… + show more
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Scott began his career at the Smithsonian Institution conducting research projects focused on marine alien species and how they are transported by human activities. There he also was trained in marine invertebrate taxonomy. He came to Hawaiʻi in 1997 to work as marine biologist for the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, where he continued his work on marine alien species and managed the marine invertebrate collections. Scott has been working in the NWHI since 1999 as a… + show more
Paula Ayotte, Marine Ecosystem Research Specialist
Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Paula, as part of CRED’s Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) fish team, has helped develop fish survey methods training materials and has participated as an REA fish diver or fish team lead on more than 25 RAMP cruises throughout the Pacific during the past seven years; this will be her seventh visit to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. During this cruise, she will again be leading the fish team in gathering … + show more
Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Paula, as part of CRED’s Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) fish team, has helped develop fish survey methods training materials and has participated as an REA fish diver or fish team lead on more than 25 RAMP cruises throughout the Pacific during the past seven years; this will be her seventh visit to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. During this cruise, she will again be leading the fish team in gathering … + show more
John Burns, Ph.D. Candidate
University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
John is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, working with Dr. Ruth Gates at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). With expertise is coral biology and coral disease, he has joined several previous RAMP expeditions to examine the health and structure of coral communities throughout the NWHI. John’s research goals are to better understand coral health, as well as the relationship between coral community structure and overall ecosystem… + show more
University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
John is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, working with Dr. Ruth Gates at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). With expertise is coral biology and coral disease, he has joined several previous RAMP expeditions to examine the health and structure of coral communities throughout the NWHI. John’s research goals are to better understand coral health, as well as the relationship between coral community structure and overall ecosystem… + show more
Courtney Couch, Postdoctoral Researcher
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Courtney is a coral disease ecologist and epidemiologist working with PMNM and The Nature Conservancy to better understand how ecological processes and environmental change govern coral disease risk. As part of her postdoctoral research, Courtney is expanding and standardizing coral health and disease monitoring across a number of Big Ocean sites (such as PMNM). Courtney and her team member John Burns will be building on earlier coral disease research in the … + show more
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Courtney is a coral disease ecologist and epidemiologist working with PMNM and The Nature Conservancy to better understand how ecological processes and environmental change govern coral disease risk. As part of her postdoctoral research, Courtney is expanding and standardizing coral health and disease monitoring across a number of Big Ocean sites (such as PMNM). Courtney and her team member John Burns will be building on earlier coral disease research in the … + show more
Chelsie Counsell, Graduate Student Researcher
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Chelsie is a first year University of Hawaiʻi graduate student whose research is focused on community dynamics – mainly patterns of connectivity and strength of species interactions – within reef ecosystems. On this expedition, she will be surveying the semi-cryptic fish and invertebrate communities that live within cauliflower corals (Pocillopora meandrina) at multiple sites to analyze patterns in community composition. … + show more
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Chelsie is a first year University of Hawaiʻi graduate student whose research is focused on community dynamics – mainly patterns of connectivity and strength of species interactions – within reef ecosystems. On this expedition, she will be surveying the semi-cryptic fish and invertebrate communities that live within cauliflower corals (Pocillopora meandrina) at multiple sites to analyze patterns in community composition. … + show more
Emily Gaskin, Policy Specialist
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Emily oversees the development and implementation of policies and regulations for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Prior to working in Hawaiʻi, she spent five years working at the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (formerly the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary). With an academic background in Environmental Economics, Emily will be applying her passion for numbers to her position as Data Manager on the expedition. Emily has… + show more
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Emily oversees the development and implementation of policies and regulations for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Prior to working in Hawaiʻi, she spent five years working at the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (formerly the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary). With an academic background in Environmental Economics, Emily will be applying her passion for numbers to her position as Data Manager on the expedition. Emily has… + show more
Kelly Gleason, Maritime Heritage Coordinator
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Kelly began working for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in Honolulu in 2004 as part of the Pacific Islands Region, and became the Maritime Heritage Coordinator for PMNM in the fall of 2007. Kelly’s work involves the exploration, interpretation and protection of maritime heritage resources in the NWHI. These resources include at least 60 potential shipwreck sites and 70 potential sunken aircraft sites; to date, 22 of these sites have been discovered and documented. … + show more
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Kelly began working for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in Honolulu in 2004 as part of the Pacific Islands Region, and became the Maritime Heritage Coordinator for PMNM in the fall of 2007. Kelly’s work involves the exploration, interpretation and protection of maritime heritage resources in the NWHI. These resources include at least 60 potential shipwreck sites and 70 potential sunken aircraft sites; to date, 22 of these sites have been discovered and documented. … + show more
Tiffany Nicole (Nikki) Gutlay, Marine Biology Graduate
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Nikki is a recent graduate (2013) of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where she obtained a B.S. in Marine Biology. Earlier this year, she presented a research poster studying the effects of coral size on the abundance and diversity of fishes and invertebrates in Kāneʻohe Bay at the Albert L. Tester Symposium. Currently, Nikki volunteers as a scientific diver for the Donahue Lab at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology. She intends on pursuing a graduate degree to further… + show more
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Nikki is a recent graduate (2013) of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where she obtained a B.S. in Marine Biology. Earlier this year, she presented a research poster studying the effects of coral size on the abundance and diversity of fishes and invertebrates in Kāneʻohe Bay at the Albert L. Tester Symposium. Currently, Nikki volunteers as a scientific diver for the Donahue Lab at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology. She intends on pursuing a graduate degree to further… + show more
Kevin Lino, Marine Ecosystems Research Coordinator
Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR)/NOAA
Kevin is a Marine Ecosystems Research Coordinator for NOAA through the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s (PIFSC) Coral Reef Ecosystems Division (CRED). Kevin is a dive master and boat instructor who coordinates and organizes logistics for his division’s various field surveys throughout the Pacific. Kevin is a seasoned fish researcher who will be conducting fish survey dives and be a coxswain for the small … + show more
Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR)/NOAA
Kevin is a Marine Ecosystems Research Coordinator for NOAA through the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s (PIFSC) Coral Reef Ecosystems Division (CRED). Kevin is a dive master and boat instructor who coordinates and organizes logistics for his division’s various field surveys throughout the Pacific. Kevin is a seasoned fish researcher who will be conducting fish survey dives and be a coxswain for the small … + show more
Katie Mahaffey, Program Support Specialist
NOAA Dive Center
Katie spent years diving off the coast of the Pacific Northwest and has trained as an Air and Mixed Gas Surfaced Supplied Diver, specializing in underwater welding and salvage. Now, as a NOAA working diver, Level I Closed Circuit Rebreather Diver, Dive Master, Dive Medical Technician and Instructor with the NOAA Diving Center, she trains new NOAA divers. On this expedition, she is diving with the science dive team as a dive master and chamber supervisor.
NOAA Dive Center
Katie spent years diving off the coast of the Pacific Northwest and has trained as an Air and Mixed Gas Surfaced Supplied Diver, specializing in underwater welding and salvage. Now, as a NOAA working diver, Level I Closed Circuit Rebreather Diver, Dive Master, Dive Medical Technician and Instructor with the NOAA Diving Center, she trains new NOAA divers. On this expedition, she is diving with the science dive team as a dive master and chamber supervisor.
Stephen Matadobra, Marine Biology Student
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Stephen is an undergraduate student finishing up a degree in Marine Biology and a Marine Option Certificate at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. John is training to become a diver medical technician and is currently working at the John A. Burns School of Medicine hyperbaric treatment center. Earlier this year, Stephen helped trace a sunken shark heiau (cultural heritage site ) in Pelekane Bay while taking a field archaeology … + show more
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Stephen is an undergraduate student finishing up a degree in Marine Biology and a Marine Option Certificate at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. John is training to become a diver medical technician and is currently working at the John A. Burns School of Medicine hyperbaric treatment center. Earlier this year, Stephen helped trace a sunken shark heiau (cultural heritage site ) in Pelekane Bay while taking a field archaeology … + show more
Eileen Nalley, Marine Biology Student
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Eileen is starting her second year of the Marine Biology Graduate Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and is studying shifting functional roles in Hawaiian reef fish. Through the application of molecular techniques to diet studies, she hopes to better understand how generalists respond to anthropogenic impacts and increased algal cover. On this expedition, Eileen will be working as a Scientific Diver as part of a research team from the University of Hawaiʻi studying the… + show more
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Eileen is starting her second year of the Marine Biology Graduate Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and is studying shifting functional roles in Hawaiian reef fish. Through the application of molecular techniques to diet studies, she hopes to better understand how generalists respond to anthropogenic impacts and increased algal cover. On this expedition, Eileen will be working as a Scientific Diver as part of a research team from the University of Hawaiʻi studying the… + show more
ENS Hadley A Owen, Vessel Operations Coordinator
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Hadley has been a NOAA Corps Commissioned Officer since 2012, working in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest before joining up with the Monument this past May. Her responsibilities include maintenance and operation of the Monument’s four small boats. This is her first time in the Monument joining the RAMP expedition, for which she will be serving as coxswain and providing dive support for the research teams.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Hadley has been a NOAA Corps Commissioned Officer since 2012, working in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest before joining up with the Monument this past May. Her responsibilities include maintenance and operation of the Monument’s four small boats. This is her first time in the Monument joining the RAMP expedition, for which she will be serving as coxswain and providing dive support for the research teams.
Toni Parras, Communications Manager
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Toni coordinates the Monument’s media/public affairs efforts, develops outreach campaigns, activities and materials, and oversees the Monument website. She is joining the RAMP expedition to document research activities and produce content to share with a variety of audiences – including Monument staff, partners and co-managers, students and teachers, and the broader public. During the cruise, Toni will interview scientists and accompany them during their research to gather stories… + show more
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Toni coordinates the Monument’s media/public affairs efforts, develops outreach campaigns, activities and materials, and oversees the Monument website. She is joining the RAMP expedition to document research activities and produce content to share with a variety of audiences – including Monument staff, partners and co-managers, students and teachers, and the broader public. During the cruise, Toni will interview scientists and accompany them during their research to gather stories… + show more
Jason Raupp, Maritime Archaeologist
Flinders University
Jason is a Ph.D. Candidate and Research Fellow in the Department of Archaeology at Flinders University in South Australia. His dissertation research focuses on early nineteenth century pelagic whaling and the industrial aspects of two American whaleships wrecked in the Monument. Joining this year’s RAMP expedition as a member of the Maritime Heritage Team, Jason’s role will be to assist with archeological surveys, site recording and data analysis. This is Jason’s fourth research voyage to the Monument.
Flinders University
Jason is a Ph.D. Candidate and Research Fellow in the Department of Archaeology at Flinders University in South Australia. His dissertation research focuses on early nineteenth century pelagic whaling and the industrial aspects of two American whaleships wrecked in the Monument. Joining this year’s RAMP expedition as a member of the Maritime Heritage Team, Jason’s role will be to assist with archeological surveys, site recording and data analysis. This is Jason’s fourth research voyage to the Monument.
Nyssa Silbiger, Ph.D. Candidate and NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Nyssa is examining how natural environmental variability and human-induced environmental change (i.e., climate change) influence bioerosion rates on Hawaiian coral reefs. She will be assisting with three field projects during this expedition: collecting samples to measure reef bioerosion rates and describe the bioeroder community (tiny invertebrates that naturally break-down the reef structure), examining how species interact in cauliflower (Pocillopora sp)… + show more
Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Nyssa is examining how natural environmental variability and human-induced environmental change (i.e., climate change) influence bioerosion rates on Hawaiian coral reefs. She will be assisting with three field projects during this expedition: collecting samples to measure reef bioerosion rates and describe the bioeroder community (tiny invertebrates that naturally break-down the reef structure), examining how species interact in cauliflower (Pocillopora sp)… + show more
Kanoelani Steward, Marine Science and Hawaiian Studies Student
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Kanoelani, originally from Lahaina, Maui, is an undergraduate senior at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo majoring in Marine Science and Hawaiian Studies. Kanoe is a member of Youth Service Hawaiʻi, where she incorporates what she is learning in college into her services in the community. She will be participating on this year’s RAMP expedition as a scientific diver, conducting coral surveys with the science team. This is Kanoe’s first time to the Monument.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Kanoelani, originally from Lahaina, Maui, is an undergraduate senior at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo majoring in Marine Science and Hawaiian Studies. Kanoe is a member of Youth Service Hawaiʻi, where she incorporates what she is learning in college into her services in the community. She will be participating on this year’s RAMP expedition as a scientific diver, conducting coral surveys with the science team. This is Kanoe’s first time to the Monument.
Nick Tenney, Senior Information Technology Specialist
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Nick manages and maintains the network and computing infrastructure for the Monument. An avid waterman, he will be participating as a maritime archeological research assistant on this expedition, assisting researchers with snorkel, dive and data management operations. This is Nick’s first visit to the Monument and he is very excited to be part of the 2014 RAMP cruise.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Nick manages and maintains the network and computing infrastructure for the Monument. An avid waterman, he will be participating as a maritime archeological research assistant on this expedition, assisting researchers with snorkel, dive and data management operations. This is Nick’s first visit to the Monument and he is very excited to be part of the 2014 RAMP cruise.
Tate Wester, Marine Biology Student
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Tate is an undergraduate at the University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa Marine Biology Program. He is the student coordinator for UH’s Marine Option Program, for which he organizes marine related field trips and activities and assists with the scientific diving field schools. Tate also works at the Kuakini Hyperbaric Treatment Center as a care provider, going on dives in the hyperbaric chamber to attend to patients. Tate plans to pursue a Master’s Degree at the University of Hawaiʻi studying the fish… + show more
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Tate is an undergraduate at the University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa Marine Biology Program. He is the student coordinator for UH’s Marine Option Program, for which he organizes marine related field trips and activities and assists with the scientific diving field schools. Tate also works at the Kuakini Hyperbaric Treatment Center as a care provider, going on dives in the hyperbaric chamber to attend to patients. Tate plans to pursue a Master’s Degree at the University of Hawaiʻi studying the fish… + show more
Return to RAMP Expedition Log.
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