LABORATORY MANAGER, COFOUNDER

Andrew has over 15 years of experience in animal husbandry and aquaculture in Monterey Bay. He was previously the lead aquaculture research technician at Moss Landing Marine Labs where he offered lead technical support on numerous aquaculture-related projects from Purple-Hinged Rock Scallop larviculture to white abalone conservation breeding, bull kelp restoration and much more! He previously worked at Long Marine Labs and at the Monterey Abalone Company, where he managed scientific collections and abalone production from hatchery to harvest.

CONSERVATION PROJECT MANAGER, COFOUNDER

Ashley worked for 12 years as a public aquarium professional, where her passion in aquaculture supporting sustainable exhibits and conservation initiatives began, notably with SECORE coral conservation & the White Abalone Recovery Project. She holds an MS in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Florida, researching sunflower sea stars & their restoration. She is fortunate to continue this work at SSL, contributing to the Pycnopodia Recovery Working Group; coordinating public aquarium, non profit and academic partners in sea star conservation aquaculture.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COFOUNDER

Reuven Bank is an interdisciplinary marine conservation professional motivated to contribute to the advancement of scientific and public understanding of our oceans. A former Coastal Resource Manager in the U.S. Peace Corps Philippines, Reuven facilitated community-driven environmental projects between the Candon City Government and local stakeholders. Reuven previously served as the lead interpretive ranger for Channel Islands Park, leading numerous park programs including Channel Islands Live, a live underwater distance learning broadcast from the kelp forests of Anacapa Island.

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN & LAB VOLUNTEER MANAGER

Mariana is a Latina marine ecologist specializing in intertidal ecosystems who originally joined Sunflower Star Laboratory as an intern in partnership with Minorities in Aquaculture from July-December 2024 before coming on board as a Lab Tech. Her research focuses on applied methodologies to enhance marine management and conservation, addressing anthropogenic stressors.

As a first-generation graduate from CSU Monterey Bay with a B.S. in Marine Science and a minor in Data Science, she brings a unique perspective to her field. Mariana is a twin, enjoys tidepooling, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Luna. She is passionate about engaging BIPOC communities in STEM, science communication, and providing immersive, hands-on experiences.

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

A Seattle native, Celine found herself drawn to the sparkling waters of Monterey Bay in 2018, where she earned a BSc. in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Following her time at UCSC and working with other community outreach initiatives revolving around marine conservation and science education, she continued her studies in the marine sciences at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, where she earned her MS. in 2025. Her research revolved around assessing and identifying coastal nursery habitat potential and the influence of substrates on selective settlement in larval marine invertebrates in the context of conservation and habitat protections.

Drawing on her knowledge and expertise, Celine is passionate and committed to supporting fundamental research on Sunflower Stars and advancing restorative aquaculture techniques as powerful tools for bolstering this species, as they play a critical role in maintaining the vibrant, diverse kelp forest ecosystem we all depend on.

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Originally from the Santa Cruz Mountains, Carter grew up with a deep appreciation for local flora and fauna. He pursued this passion at CSU Long Beach, where he earned a B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy. In 2023, Carter returned to academia to complete an M.S. in Environmental Studies, conducting research on sea otter behavioral dynamics at a kelp forest restoration site as well as their predator–prey relationships across urchin barrens and remnant kelp forests.

Carter’s interest in Pycnopodia began during Advanced Marine Ecology at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, where he proposed a sunflower sea star reintroduction study titled Two Birds, One Pycnopodia. Working directly with Pycnos represents a long-time dream come true. His broader interests lie in community and theoretical ecology, particularly predator-driven ecosystem change.

Outside the lab, Carter enjoys being outdoors in good company, mountain biking, surfing, diving, and camping whenever possible. He is so excited to be a part of an awesome team working together to support such an important species!

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Sadie began scuba diving at Catalina Island when she was just 13 years old. Her love for the ocean led her to Santa Cruz, where she completed her B.S. in Marine Biology at UCSC. While there, she earned her scientific diving certification, allowing her to conduct research along the California coast and in the frigid waters off Alaska.

As an Ernest F. Hollings Scholar, Sadie interned at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in San Diego. There, she helped develop and test a novel eDNA method to non-invasively detect outplanted white abalone, combining her interests in endangered species recovery with SCUBA diving. While attending the Western Society of Naturalists conference, Sadie was introduced to Sunflower Star Laboratory and immediately felt a drive to collaborate and lend her skills to the Lab’s restoration initiatives.

She plans to harness her passion for marine conservation and her technical diving skills to help outplant and repopulate the California coast with Pycnopodia. When not in the lab or the water, she enjoys running, hiking, reading, or playing with her cat, Fawn.

BOARD CHAIR

Growing up in Southern California, Terry was first SCUBA certified before high school. Today, Terry is an avid Monterey County diver, underwater photographer and Reef Check Volunteer who cares deeply about protecting our oceans and kelp forests. After his original aspirations in marine science floundered, he spent his career in communications and nonprofit management, experience that will be put to good use at Sunflower Star Laboratory.

TREASURER, COFOUNDER

A Monterey Bay Area native, Priscilla is a lifelong environmentalist who is deeply committed to preserving to our local ecosystems. When first learning to dive, she became captivated by the kelp forests, and all who live in them. That feeling continues today. She brings decades of business success and non-profit leadership to the Sunflower Star Lab, and is pleased to be a part of it.

BOARD MEMBER, COFOUNDER

Jan is a marine ecologist focusing on reef community ecology, citizen science and conservation. He is the Executive Director of the Reef Check Foundation and has grown Reef Check’s kelp forest program into a west coast wide network of citizen scientist working on marine protected area monitoring, climate change research, kelp forest restoration and marine science education. He is dedicated to the protection and conservation of marine resources through research and community engagement. Jan holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California Santa Cruz.

BOARD MEMBER

Rosie is a lifelong environmentalist with a passion for marine life and was Sunflower Star Laboratory’s very first lab volunteer. She has a degree in environmental studies from Eckerd College and has volunteered with the Monterey Bay Aquarium for 10 years, worked as a camp counselor at the Marine Science Institute in Redwood City, and coordinated volunteers to restore habitat for the chorus frog.

BOARD MEMBER

Samantha coordinates operations and leads expeditions for the Ocean Exploration Trust aboard E/V Nautilus, exploring the deep sea with ROVs, autonomous vehicles, and seafloor mapping. She has sailed on over 45 expeditions across the North, Central, and South Pacific Ocean, Gulf of California, and the Great Lakes. She previously managed communications for OET, was part of Monterey Bay Aquarium's ecosystem, and also led ROV-building workshops for students. 

After a decade of frequently being at sea, Samantha has returned home to the Monterey Bay to relearn how to be a land person--and is thrilled to support outreach for a uniquely local and coastal project aiming for widespread ocean impact.

BOARD MEMBER

Kenan is a marine scientist and freelance photographer. His scientific work has brought him around the world, though much of his work has been concentrated in and around temperate waters. In his current position, Kenan conducts biological monitoring of the rocky intertidal and kelp forests off the Channel Islands. He has worked on projects investigating the resilience of Irish kelp forests, restoration of eel grass beds along California, and long-term monitoring of coral reefs in Palmyra. Kenan attended UC Santa Cruz for his undergraduate degree, where he monitored the disappearance of sea stars and later received his master’s degree from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 

INTERN AQUACULTURE RESEARCHER

Cailley’s 20+ years of studying dance combined with her experience working at the Monterey Bay Aquarium has inspired her fascination with animal locomotion and comparative physiology. Cailley graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in Computer Science and is now focusing on evolutionary biology research. She loves studying how animals move and learning about the immense physiological variation among marine invertebrates. Every day is a new adventure at the lab, and she loves getting to witness the stars grow and exhibit different behaviors. 

INTERN AQUARIST

Megan is a fourth-year Marine Science student at CSUMB, with a focus on aquaculture and conservation research for marine ecosystems and invertebrates. She joined Sunflower Star Laboratory in June of 2024 as an outreach volunteer and was soon invited to work directly in the lab.

Megan has volunteered with several local organizations, including the Bureau of Land Management and the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum. Outside the lab, she loves tidepooling, hiking, scuba diving, and spending time with family and friends. With a deep commitment to environmental protection, Megan is driven to raise awareness about ocean conservation. She is excited to continue her work with Sunflower Star Laboratory, which has fueled her passion for preserving marine life.

INTERN AQUARIST co-sponsored by Minorities in Aquaculture (Jul-Dec 2024)

Melissa is a marine ecologist and journalist with a research background in sea star chemosensory ecology under climate change stressors. She is a recent graduate from UC Santa Cruz holding a BS. in Marine Biology and B.S. in Environmental Science.

Melissa loves diving, painting, going on walks by the ocean and challenging herself with zero waste living. When it comes to career endeavors, Melissa hopes to combine her love for marine science with journalism and social media management to create a space where science is accessible to everyone. She is excited to join forces with Mariana and the rest of the beautiful brains and hearts of the SSL team!

LAB ASSISTANT co-sponsored by Minorities in Aquaculture (Sept-April ‘23)

Madison is an undergraduate UC Santa Cruz student pursuing a B.S. in Marine Biology. Madison assisted with algae culture, cell counts, sea star and urchin density counts, water quality testing, and maintenance of filtration systems. She also participated in spawning trials of echinoderms and contributed to the build-out of our facility in Moss Landing.

Madison is dedicated to conserving endangered species and restoring the ecological health of environments, including kelp forests affected by urchin barrens. She aims to understand anthropogenic issues impacting marine life and is committed to continuing her work in research environments. In her free time, Madison enjoys diving, tide pooling, reading, and traveling on excursions. She is eager to pursue future opportunities and is excited about the lab's continued evolution.

STARFATHER, FOUNDER

Vince is an avid diver, artist, scientist, and the person who inspired this passionate group of ocean conservationists to come together to form the Sunflower Star Laboratory. Vince maintains a California Professional Engineer License and received his MS from Moss Landing Marine Laboratory.

Though he claims to be “just a volunteer” after passing the torch of running the lab, don’t be surprised if you spot him building out new systems, helping with experiments, or telling the tale of sunflower stars and the community that loves them.

OUTREACH VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Maryjanna is an East Coast transplant from the Chesapeake Bay region with a degree in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland. They have 10 years of experience in science communication, conservation outreach, and animal welfare from various museums, zoos, and aquariums including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pacific Grove Natural History Museum.

For as long as they can remember, they have been passionate about exploring the natural world and love to share it with others. At Sunflower Star Laboratory, they have the opportunity to learn about the ecology and conservation of sunflower stars and share it with visitors to the laboratory.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER

Taylor Viens is a professional with over twenty years of nonprofit experience. From 2017-2019, he was appointed as Youth Ambassador to the United Nations for the internationally-lauded NGO Caring for Cambodia. After professional positions at several nonprofits, including The New York Botanical Garden, Taylor began volunteering with the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI), completing pinniped rescues, rehab, and releases.

Taylor serves on the Board of Directors of Channel Islands Restoration and works with the California Institute of Environmental Sciences and the Institute of Wildlife Studies (San Clemente Island). He also volunteers with the National Park Service on the Channel Islands Live Dive. Taylor has a career in data science and volunteers when he's not in the ocean.