Speakers:

Dr. Kristin Aquilino, lead scientist for the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program based at University of California, Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory

Dr. Kristin Aquilino is the lead scientist for the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program based at University of California, Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory and including a dozen partners along the west coast of North America. Her research focuses on the reproductive conditioning and husbandry of endangered white abalone, as well as the effects of climate change and disease on their captive and wild populations. She is a member of the California Sea Grant Extension team, connecting her work with state and federal agencies, Indigenous nations, commercial aquaculture growers, aquariums, and other stakeholders. Dr. Aquilino is a recipient of NOAA’s Species in the Spotlight Hero Award.

Dr. Luke Gardner, California Sea Grant Extension Specialist, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego

Luke Gardner, PhD, is a California Sea Grant Extension Specialist based at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Gardner is a biologist whose work focuses on leading and supporting research, extension activities, and education in the field of aquaculture. His work explores how aquaculture intersects with coastal California’s environment, economy, and citizens, and supports the development of sustainable aquaculture activities while balancing the economic, environmental and social needs of Californians to produce a net positive benefit to the state. Gardner identifies emerging issues and opportunities in California and how aquaculture may influence them in an effort to find community supported solutions. Gardner earned his PhD from Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and BS in aquaculture from James Cook University, Australia.

Dr. Kevin Marquez Johnson, Sea Grant Extension Specialist based at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Kevin Johnson, PhD, is a California Sea Grant Extension Specialist based at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Johnson is a marine biologist working to understand the genetic potential for adapation to environmental stress in aquaculturally important marine invertebrates. Johnson seeks to build collaborations with students and faculty at Cal Poly, aquaculture growers, Indigenous nations, state and federal agencies, and local stakeholders. Through these collaboration, his work will focus on emergent issues in California and will highlight educational and career opportunities in aquaculture. Johnson earned his PhD from the UC Santa Barbara and his BS from CSU Monterey Bay. 

Moderator:

Charlotte Stevenson, M.S., is a Science Writer for USC Sea Grant.

Ms. Stevenson is a freelance science writer, editor, and communicator with 14 years of diverse experience writing for congressional offices, federal and state agencies, non-profits, start-ups, and newspapers. She has served as the Science Writer for USC Sea Grant since 2010, writing articles, newsletter content, strategic planning, grant reporting, and website content. Her combination of skills are best seen in Sea Grant publications like Apocalypse Cow, The Urban Mariner, and Plastic Debris in the California Marine Ecosystem: A Summary of Current Research, Solution Strategies, and Data Gaps which she completed for the California Ocean Science Trust.

Ms. Stevenson brings a very technical understanding and perspective to her science writing. At the same time, Ms. Stevenson’s 2006 National Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship placement in D.C. and participation in California’s South Coast Marine Life Protected Area process gave her a nuanced understanding of policy and politics that inform her writing as well. As a prolific creative writer, Ms. Stevenson excels at storytelling, bringing science to life, setting the stage for complicated policy, and, most importantly, making science accessible to all.