top of page
Screen Shot 2023-11-03 at 2.26.18 PM.png

Meet THE TEAM

RESEARCH AND FIELD LEADS

Marilyn Brandt-3.jpg

DR. MARILYN BRANDT

Reef Response Director
Research Associate Professor, University of the Virgin Islands

Rachel Ionata-2.jpg

Rachel ionata

Restoration Projects Coordinator

Dan Mele-1.jpg

DAN MELE

Coral Aquarist and Communications Specialist

Natasha Bestrom-1.jpg

Natasha Bestrom

Acropora Monitoring Program Coordinator

Brad Arrington-3.jpg

BRAD ARRINGTON

Coral Restoration Specialist

Jason Quetel-1.jpg

JASON QUETEL

Marine Life Restoration Specialist

Sonora Meiling-2.jpg

Sonora Meiling

Marine Disease Specialist

Meet the Team: Meet the Team
Nicholas Durgadeen-3.jpg

Nicholas Durgadeen

Disease Treatment Specialist and Outreach Coordinator

6D5A6706.jpg

chloé camacho

Education and Outreach Coordinator

DSC01310_edited.jpg

Dr. Larry Dew

Reef Response Faculty

Donor Relations Specialist

Alex Gutting

Kristen Ewen

Alex is one of the cofounders Reef Response (formerly VI Reef Response) while she was a graduate student at UVI. She and Kristen Ewen lead efforts to rebuild the coral nursery at Flat Cay after it was destroyed in the 2017 hurricanes and created Reef Response's citizen science program. Alex is now the Coral Conservation Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy in St. Croix and is working to strengthen collaborations between the two coral restoration programs.

Kristen was one of the cofounders of Reef Response (formerly VI Reef Response) while at the University of the Virgin Islands. She was integral in rebuilding the Flat Cay nursery along following hurricanes Irma and Maria. She along with Alex Gutting developed the citizen science component of Reef Response, focusing on including recreational divers in coral nursery maintenance. Kristen is now a Biological Scientist Technician for the National Parks Service in St. Croix,  USVI.

ALUMNI

Adam Glahn

Adam Glahn was a vital team member of Reef Response building our temporary land-based coral nursery system. He helped establish our in-water nursery at Great St. James. Adam currently works as a Biologist for the Environmental Protection Agency in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Kathryn cobleigh

Kathryn stepped into the Reef Response Coordinator role during the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her efforts helped grow our organization and took Reef Response to new heights. She is currently pursuing a PhD in coral restoration at the University of Technology Sydney. 

Meet the Team: List
bottom of page