Our Wonderful Staff

Each of our staff members bring something special to MarineLab. We can’t wait to bring you on a MarineLab adventure!

 

Sarah worked primarily in the marine science research field before finding her love of education when she was hired as an Instructor at MarineLab in 2007. Sarah works diligently to ensure that all MarineLab curriculum is current, accurate, and experiential. Sarah is the instructor staff supervisor and trains all instructors on lesson content and instruction. She is a USCG Master’s Captain, a RedCross Lifeguard/CPR Instructor, and a PADI Divemaster. She is published in scientific journals and is a contract writer for DAN’s Alert Diver magazine and DAN Europe. Sarah is on Key Largo’s Masters swim team and likes to spend her days off on the water diving, fishing, and hanging with her dog, Triton. She has a fear of squirrels, hates plastic, loves green smoothies, must travel to a foreign country annually, and is proud to be Philly born and raised. Sarah is passionate about ocean conservation and is grateful to have the opportunity to act on this passion via education.


Sarah Egner

Senior Vice President, Programs

BS Biology, Wake Forest University
MS Marine Science, University of South Florida
Ed.S Science Curriculum & Instruction, University of Florida

Walker grew up in Southern California and was always at the beach and in the water. He started diving at 15 when he went on a family trip to the Maldives and he knew he was hooked. Walker obtained his Divemaster in Catalina Island Camp Emerald Bay at the age of 18. He went on to earn his Associates degree in commercial diving at Santa Barbara City College. While in college, he worked as divemaster and deckhand on day trip dive boats out to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island. He continued to work on liveaboards guiding clients around the Channel Islands. One off season, he traveled to Utila, Honduras to complete his PADI Instructor certification and PADI Freediver Instructor certification. With his USCG Masters 100 ton Captains license and PADI Instructor certification, he was ready to travel to the warm, clear waters of Cayman Brac. After two years of working for Reef Divers, he decided it was time to come back to the United States, where he landed at his new home here in the beautiful Florida Keys. 

Walker Gareri, Lead Captain

AS in Marine Diving Technologies, Santa Barbara City College

Rachel grew up in Wisconsin and discovered her love for the ocean after an amazing moment snorkeling with a sea turtle. That was THE moment she decided to dedicate her future to positively impacting our oceans. Since starting at MarineLab as an instructor in 2016 she has seen how powerful education is, especially the hands-on educational experience provided at Marinelab. Rachel works to ensure that each program at MarineLab is performed to the best of our abilities and that the instructors are set up to positively influence each student’s experience in the ocean at MarineLab. Rachel is the on-site contact for visiting group leaders, the instructor supervisor, and American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor. Rachel loves being part of the amazing MarineLab team and is excited for the bright future of MarineLab!


Rachel Carrier, Director of Operations

BS Biology, University of Wisconsin- Madison

Our Instructors

Maria Laukaitis

Creative Manager

BS Environmental Science University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Pat Malloy

Lead Field Instructor

BA Environmental Studies, Florida Gulf Coast University

Erin O’Neil

Data Coordinator

BS Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Michigan

Auz VanBuskirk

Full Time Field Instructor

BS Ecology/ Conservation Biology, University of Idaho

Ashley Smiley

Full Time Field Instructor

BA Zoology, Ohio Wesleyan University

Megan Maloney

Seasonal Field Instructor

BS Marine Science, Florida Gulf Coast University

Lucy Wiedmar

Seasonal Field Instructor

BS Environmental Science, Nova Southeastern University

Anne denOtter

Outreach Coordinator and Lead Field Instructor

BS Marine Science & Biology, University of Miami

Sofia Arias

Full Time Field Instructor

BA Biology, Universidad de Chile

Natalie Patetta

Seasonal Field Instructor

BS Environmental Science, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Alisa Slawinski

Seasonal Field Instructor

BS ABEC (Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation) and Environmental Science, Canisius University

Alexis Kuhre Haag

Seasonal Field Instructor

BS Specialized Studies (Environmental Studies and Sociology), Ohio University

Molly O’Neil

Seasonal Field Instructor

BS Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami

Allie Howard

Full Time Field Instructor

BA Marine Biology and Environmental Education, University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Jacob Beretta

Seasonal Field Instructor

MS Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island

BS Computational/Applied Mathematics/Statistics, William and Mary

Ginette began working for MarineLab in December 1986 as the Coordinator, and has been instrumental in the growth of MarineLab over the last decades.  Her focus on customer service, risk management, financial responsibility and human resources contri…

Our Office Staff

Ginette Hughes, CEO

Bachelor of Business Administration, FIU

AnneHill.jpg

Anne Hill, Coordinator

Procurement and Material Management, Bowling Green University

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Kelley Seaman, Office Manager

Kim Gregory, Director of Development

Political Science-Public Administration/Public Policy from Michigan State

Kimora Sacha Boswell

Food Service Director

Janette Holmes

Cook

Yanette Taveras

Head of Housekeeping

Corey Warthaw

Cook

Jorge Zelada

Head of Maintenance