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 PROGRAM LEAD, 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.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Nathan (Nate) is a marine ecologist whose research integrates experimental ecology, physiology,  and quantitative modeling to understand and restore marine ecosystems. His work combines controlled laboratory and field experiments with advanced statistical, demographic, and bioenergetic modeling to generate mechanistic insights to inform conservation and restoration.

He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Marine Science at California State University, Monterey Bay, and has collaborated extensively with Sunflower Star Laboratory through research, grant development, and sunflower sea star reintroduction initiatives. Nathan's research spans kelp forest ecology, climate change, aquaculture, and the physiological mechanisms that govern species interactions across changing environments. He is particularly interested in developing predictive frameworks that bridge ecological theory with practical conservation, helping resource managers identify effective strategies for restoring biodiversity and ecosystem function.

At SSL, he serves as the scientific integration lead, helping design experiments, develop quantitative analyses, and translate restoration outcomes into peer-reviewed science that advances both sunflower sea star-mediated kelp forest resilience and the broader field of reintroduction biology. Outside of research, Nate is a recovering DIY/maker enthusiast and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. He is excited to work alongside the SSL team to help establish science-based best practices for restoring Pycnopodia to promote kelp forest resilience as a natural climate solution.

RESEARCH 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.

RESEARCH 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.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Chanel has an interdisciplinary background with experience in science education, community engagement, and marine conservation. She spent five years teaching science before pursuing graduate studies at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where she supported plankton research and focused on integrating community knowledge into long-term monitoring efforts of green sea turtles. After graduate school, Chanel completed her CA Sea Grant Fellowship at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and worked at the SC Museum of Natural History.

She first visited the lab during the 2025 Spawniversary event and returned in the fall to learn more about sunflower stars. Chanel is dedicated to using her bilingual skills, and background in science and education to advance the Sunflower Star Laboratory’s conservation mission through community engagement efforts. 

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.

BOARD MEMBER, TREASURER

Gracie is an investment professional focused on building a sustainable blue economy in emerging markets. At CI Ventures, she has led the Oceans Window for several years, sourcing and structuring catalytic investments that protect marine biodiversity and support livelihoods. She also co-created an equity-free accelerator with Hatch Blue for female founders in SE Asia, Latin America, and now Africa, and she previously co-founded a seaweed startup reducing methane emissions.

Gracie holds a Masters in Environmental Science and Management  from the UCSB Bren School, and a BA in Environmental Studies from Yale. In her spare time, she enjoys freediving and searching for nudibranchs in tide pools along the California coastline.

BOARD MEMBER, SECRETARY

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. 

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

Abbey Dias is a scientific diving and boating safety professional with a background in kelp forest ecology and science communication. Her masters work focused on growing bull kelp on the northern California coast, an area which has lost more than 95% of the historic kelp cover. She uses underwater photography, video, and stories to help connect people to environments which are often inaccessible.

Scientific diving has taken her around the world from Antarctica to the tropics, but consistently her favorite dives are those in the northern Pacific Ocean looking for sunflower sea stars. She is dedicated to seeing this key species return to the coastline and is grateful to be part of the team supporting Sunflower Star Laboratory!

BOARD MEMBER

Daniel is a commercial leader in the life sciences industry, currently serving as VP of Commercial at Taudia, where he focuses on advancing ultrasensitive biomarker technologies for neurodegenerative diseases. An avid freediver, fisherman and home cook Daniel has a deep personal connection to marine ecosystems and is passionate about protecting kelp forests along the California coast. He is committed to supporting Sunflower Star Laboratory’s mission through fundraising, partnerships, and strategic growth initiatives.

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.

INTERN AQUARIST

Jadyn-Kathleen is a third-year ethnic studies major at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she studies multicultural world history and environmental relationships. Out of a love for history and evolution, she developed a love for the mother of life - the ocean. Jadyn-Kathleen also applies her historical and political analysis to her relationships and lab work, bringing thoughtfulness and multiple perspectives to her work.

She is inspired by the ocean's endless creativity and has an especially sweet spot in her heart for Sunflower Stars! When Jadyn-Kathleen is not studying or napping with her cat, ‘Otter’, she is watching something with vampires in it, spending time by the ocean, or making art.

Jadyn-Kathleen’s internship is co-sponsored by our starfriends at Minorities in Aquaculture.

INTERN AQUARIST

Gladys is a recent biology graduate from Hartnell Community College. She will be transferring to UCSD to pursue her B.S in Marine Biology in the fall. Being a Salinas native, she grew up visiting the beach and Monterey Bay Aquarium, where she developed her love for marine life. 

As a chicana herself, Gladys is a strong advocate for chicanas in STEM. In her future career goals, she hopes to combine that with her love of marine life by focusing on youth programs in underrepresented communities to spread environmental conservation while also encouraging youth to explore different career paths with scientists who share similar backgrounds.

Through the MESA program at Hartnell, Gladys has the opportunity to intern Sunflower Star Laboratory. The experience has been new and exciting. She loves learning more about the stars and all the factors in ensuring their health and growth. All her tasks through the short time have fueled her love for marine conservation efforts. She is honored to be mentored by the SSL team. Away from the lab, Gladys enjoys swimming, baking, hiking and learning to crochet!

Gladys’ internship is sponsored by our starfriends at Hartnell College.

INTERN AQUARIST

Lana is a 4th-year Marine Biology student at UCSC, with a focus on rehabilitation and conservation field research. She joined MIA and chose SSL as her host lab because of the lab’s focus on the conservation side of aquaculture.

Lana volunteered for the Kroeker Lab during her last quarter, specifically with the Red Abalone team, led by Dr. Racine Rangel. During this time, she learned animal husbandry techniques, spawning protocols, and dissection methods. She was also a docent at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and an Ocean Steward with Save Our Shores (SOS). Outside of the lab, Lana loves to cook and bake, explore new places, hike, scuba dive, and spend time with friends and family (and her dog, Ray).

Starting this internship at SSL has shown Lana that she truly wants to pursue conservation in the marine field, and she is now leaning more towards invertebrate conservation after starting work with the stars. She is very passionate and driven not only about conservation but also about advocating for public education and sustainability practices to reduce waste.

Lana’s internship is co-sponsored by our starfriends at Minorities in Aquaculture.

FORMER 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. 

FORMER 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

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.