Although Tatiana has already achieved a certificate in Environmental Technician at the Guam Community College, she has returned to GCC to achieve an associate’s degree in Visual Communications. With her degree, she aims to promote marine conservation for her island and neighboring islands. Her love for the ocean is deeper than the Marianas Trench. Her passion as a fisherwoman has opened her eyes to conservation and sustainable fishing. As much as she loves fishing to feed her family, she also loves saving the livelihood of the beautiful reefs here. Her knowledge of the ocean grows each and every day. Tatiana loves exploring new places above and below the surface. 

A born and raised Guam native, Danica resides in the village of Talofofo with her 9 year-old son Jeremiah and his dad John. Danica attended the University of Guam and earned her Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Accounting in 2016. Whilst attending UOG, Danica interned with the Office of Public Accountability and was a member of the Association of Government Accountants. After graduating, she joined Ernst & Young, LLC as a Financial Assurance Staff and was later promoted to Assurance Senior in 2018. With EY, Danica both assisted with and led the audits of several major corporations on Guam, specializing in the hospitality and insurance industries.

Ginger Carter

Ginger grew up in sunny Southern California. She developed a love for the ocean at a young age, but saw it more as a recreational passion than as a possible career path. She obtained her B.A. in Business Administration and worked as a restaurant manager, meanwhile always trying to think of what was her true calling in life. On a whim, she decided to leave everything behind and become a scuba instructor. She completed her dive training in Costa Rica and then spent the next couple years working as a Dive Instructor in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. There she had the opportunity to work on a liveaboard boat, guiding tours to the Archipelago of Revillagigedos. Meanwhile, she developed an interest in marine science and conservation and began looking for ways to combine this interest with her scuba career. Her next move was to Michigan to live with her husband, where she worked with U.S.G.S. as a scientific diver studying algae in the Great Lakes. After 3 difficult years away from the ocean, she moved to Guam with her husband to work as a Coral Restoration Technician at the UOG Marine Laboratory. Ginger still teaches scuba on the weekends and works with MCC when she has free time! She enjoys every moment in the water, and loves sharing her passion for the ocean with others!

Hanae received her B.S. in Oceanography from Humboldt State University in 2011. Afterwards she moved to the Caribbean for work and ended up staying about 8 years.  She worked in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Belize for multiple entities working as a marine scientist on various projects of which included: coral nursery work (growing, fragging, and outplanting corals), coral reef monitoring surveys, ESA coral species demographic studies, vessel grounding and post hurricane damage assessments and reports, coral triage and reattachment post physical damage, water quality sampling and analysis for the territorial government, and various environmental consulting projects.  During this time in the Caribbean Hanae also completed her M.S. in Marine Sciences at University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez in 2017.  She studied the gametogenetic cycles of two species in the genus Colpophyllia in Puerto Rico. After completing graduate school she then moved to the South Pacific and worked with NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa as a research scientist contractor on various projects, from coral reef monitoring surveys within sanctuary sites to leading a deep sea cruise in partnership with the Ocean Exploration Trust. Hanae has a strong passion for marine conservation and restoration work and looks forward to working with MCC in Guam on their research projects within Micronesia.  In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her family, freediving, and traveling the world!

I have been passionate about sharks and the ocean since I was a small child. I always knew I would grow up to be a marine biologist, and in 2011 I traveled to Fiji for a Shark Behavior and Conservation field course. There I was able to study and interact with bull sharks and reef sharks in the wild, further solidifying my desire to participate in ocean research. In 2012 I graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Zoology. I moved to Guam in 2014 after accepting an Aquarist position at Underwater World Guam. There I was able to meet with biologists from all over the globe while advancing my skills in scuba diving and my knowledge of marine biology. I now live in Southern California outside of LA, working at the Aquarium of the Pacific as well as at the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research. In my free time I am an amateur photographer, hiker, diver and avid reader. 

Maria Kottermair is a certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional and has applied that expertise on Guam for over a decade. She holds a B.S. in Cartography from the Munich University of Applied Sciences and a M.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Guam. 

Lately, Maria has combined her love for GIS and islands by expanding scope to other locales in Micronesia, notably the Outer Islands of Yap. Though Maria loves the ocean and all its creatures, mantas have always fascinated her especially. It was through assisting with Founder Julie Hartup’s graduate field work that a strong partnership was formed. Building on their shared passions and strong mutual commitment to the conservation of our local environments, Maria joins Julie and Micronesian Conservation Coalition as their GIS Specialist.

Deane Jessee-Jones moved to Guam in 1991, when she married her college sweetheart, Jay.  Together they have 3 kids and have spent the last two decades enjoying life in Guam and Saipan.  Deane works as an Adjunct Social Science Instructor at the University of Guam and as an Educational Therapist providing testing and consulting services for children with learning weaknesses.   Deane has always loved nature and all the creatures on land and in the water.  It is no surprise that she would want to protect the Micronesian Islands and make sure all islands are as beautiful and flourishing in the future as they are today.

Ashley is an avid diver always jumping into opportunities to explore the ocean. With a B.S. in Biology at the University of Guam, she is determined to pursue future studies in ocean conservation in the local region and hopes to expand her efforts further. Her goal has always been to instill the love of the ocean and awareness into people’s hearts. Having learned about the valuable resources our ocean has economically and aesthetically, she hopes to help the community recognize that we are in the midst of a delicate gem. Though saving the planet seems impossible, she aims to help restore it one step at the time. Ashley continues to work with MCC to reinforce community connections to the true value of what the ocean provides and to preserve cultures and natural resources. As a Marine Team Member and Board Member, she is dedicated and always ready to jump right in. i guinaiya-ku. i minetgot-hu yan i fuetså-ku i tåsi. (my love, my strength, and my power is the ocean)

Dr. Sam Mabini is an avid scuba diver and an advocate for our blue planet and wildlife.  Her career has been in the area of Career and Technical Education and workforce development reform locally and nationally.  She received her Ph.D. in Work and Human Resource Education from the University of Minnesota.  Dr. Mabini was recently the Director for the Guam Department of Labor, and was previously the Provost at the Pacific Islands University, an adjunct Associate Professor with University of Maryland University College, and Associate Dean at Guam Community College.  She was a Senator in the 31st Guam Legislature (2010-2012), working diligently on initiatives in education and workforce development to improve and enhance the livelihood of Guam citizens. Dr. Mabini also serves on the board of the Guam Symphony Society and Guam Association for Career and Technical Education, and co-hosts a Saturday community radio talk show.  She is currently a postdoctoral research fellow working at the University of Alabama.

Born during one of the most destructive typhoons to hit Guam and even named after her, Karen has always loved the power of water. Learning to swim at USO summer camps, joining the swim team as a teenager and then learning to dive at 14, the ocean has always been her playground.  Protecting it is a lifelong mission. 

Karen attended the University of California at Santa Cruz (off Monterey Bay) and majored in Biology.  She returned to Guam right after graduation and started diving again with a new appreciation for warm water! Diving trips to Palau, Saipan and Rota helped develop a renewed love for the underwater world.  Sadly, an eardrum injury has halted all underwater diving but that hasn’t slowed her down. Snorkeling on the surface still allows her to enjoy all that the ocean has to offer.

“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.”  – Wyland

In 2003 Dr. Biggs graduated Cum Laude from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY with a B.A. in Biology and Secondary  Education. She then pursued my Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from The University of Utah. During her time at University of Utah, she assisted in developing educational curriculum,  Let’s Do Science, for K-5 classrooms that focused on hypothesis driven chemistry and also published a 35-page workbook to accompany in class efforts. In this role, she brought the curriculum to Guam, managed, and trained a staff of ten to implement the Let’s Do Science education program on Guam reaching over 800 students in the 2008-2009 academic year.  In 2009, she then joined University of Guam with the Sea Grant Program and worked to develop educational programs and expand the program capacity on Guam. In 2013, she executed a year-long (4 session) professional development program for GDOE high school science teachers. In fall 2015, she joined the Biology program at The University of Guam. In this capacity Dr. Biggs teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Human Biology, Pharmacology, Scientific Arguments, Scientific Writing, and other courses as needed. 

Exposed to the island’s natural resources at a very young age, Jeff was inspired to learn more about the biology of Guam.  After pursuing his education at the University of Guam, Jeff was employed with the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources for a year before becoming a biology teacher at Benavente Middle School and George Washington High School.  He was a public school teacher for 4 years before returning back to being a field biologist.  As much as he loves sharing knowledge, working with the resources is his passion.  Having the opportunity to be a part of the development of the Micronesian Challenge and Conservation Action Plans, and native species recovery plans Jeff brings to the table the experience and the local knowledge of Guam’s natural resources.  His goals in life are to spread awareness for the love of the resources for all to protect, promote, and preserve, and to inspire the new generation of future biologists.  Being active with the Guam Nature’s Alliance and MCC will be a great vehicle to continue his passion and love for the natural resources and his island home… Isla Guåhan! 

Brett Taylor is an Assistant Professor of Fisheries Ecology at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory. Dr. Taylor has worked extensively on the biology and ecology of marine fish species and associated fisheries, primarily in the tropical Indo-Pacific. His research is firmly planted in highly field-based and quantitative approaches to address questions across many scales. 

Since then, Vince has cemented his beliefs in the advancement of public knowledge and action
towards scientific inquiry and conservation. Through the many activities he has partaken in during his college years such as marine research, advocacy and community engagement, he aims to dedicate his efforts in not only pursuing a career in conservation biology but also in developing a more accessible means of acquiring the same education for underprivileged islanders. He has learned to acknowledge the disproportionate exclusion of minority individuals in the conservation conversation and realizes that inclusion of diversity in thought and innovation may very well lead to a more sustainable future for the planet and its people.

Vince has recently graduated from the University of Guam with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology (2020). He is currently working on gaining additional field experience before applying for graduate school to specialize in ecological work within the Pacific Islands. He hopes that his endeavors will hone his skills in producing quality scientific work and plans to eventually return to Guam after receiving his PhD to help shape a more environmentally conscious community as well as provide opportunities for its citizens which are currently difficult for them to attain.

As a child, Natasha always saw herself growing up to become a famous actress or singer. However, this all changed in her Sophomore year of High School when she watched “The Cove” in her Biology class, a documentary that exploits the mass slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. After watching this film Natasha’s life changed forever. Instead of seeing herself on stage entertaining millions of people, she now sees herself helping animals in need both on land and in the sea. Natasha has been a member of MCC since 2016 and loves sharing her knowledge and love for the ocean with others.

Natasha graduated from the University of Guam in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She is currently working as a Sea Turtle Biologist through Seagrant and is working on her application to veterinary school. Natasha hopes to become a wildlife and exotics veterinarian with a specialty in marine mammals. She hopes to be able to share her love for animals and the ocean while educating others to become involved in marine conservation. 

Leilani graduated with a BS in Biology at UOG in 2019. Since then, she has been working as a biologist researching endangered green sea turtles in one of Guam’s largest nesting sites. 

Leilani spent her undergraduate career pursuing a career in marine science and chasing after experiences that would build her up as a local woman in science. In 2016, she participated in a summer research experience studying the unique feeding behaviors of Guam’s manta ray population. Two years later in 2018, she spent 10 weeks at UH Hilo during the active lava flow researching water quality affects on reefs and the impacts of lava flow on water quality. 

Leilani will be continuing her education at UOG pursuing a MS in Biology with her thesis focused on green sea turtle nesting biology. Her aspiration is to inspire young local students to pursue careers in environmental science. No one knows our island’s environment better than those whose ancestors dwell among it. Leilani believes that building local capacity in science is key to moving forward with conservation efforts of marine resources in Guam