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
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
Full Time Field Instructor
BS Environmental Science, Nova Southeastern University
Colton Ramos
Seasonal Field Instructor
Linfield 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
Meghan DiGiovanna
Seasonal Field Instructor
BA in Sociology at University of Colorado, Boulder
Alexis Kuhre Haag
Full Time Field Instructor
BS Specialized Studies (Environmental Studies and Sociology), Ohio University
Molly O’Neil
Full Time Field Instructor
BS Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami
Our Office Staff
Ginette Hughes, CEO
Bachelor of Business Administration, FIU
Anne Hill, Coordinator
Procurement and Material Management, Bowling Green University
Kelley Seaman, Office Manager
Kim Gregory, Director of Development
Political Science-Public Administration/Public Policy from Michigan State
Karen Copen, Assistant Coordinator
Columbus College of Art and Design
Kimora Sacha Boswell
Food Service Director
Janette Holmes
Cook
Yanette Taveras
Head of Housekeeping
Chely Ornelas
Housekeeping
Jorge Zelada
Head of Maintenance
Andy Bohl
Maintenance