Coast Team

Logistics Team Leads

Alexis Longmire

UNC Chapel Hill

Alexis Longmire is a PhD candidate in ecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill working with Dr. Joel Fodrie at UNC’s Institute of Marine Sciences. Rather than studying a particular habitat-type, Alexis researches habitat mosaics and how the broader spatial context of a habitat affects biodiversity, predation, nursery functionality, and more. Previously, she graduated with her B.S. in Biology and Marine Science from the University of Alabama in 2020. Alexis places a strong emphasis on undergraduate mentoring; however, hailing from a rural, southern community herself, Alexis believes it is necessary to educate and uplift people outside of academia, including K-12 students and adults alike. When she’s not working, Alexis can be found collecting shiny/cool things outside and, ultimately, retracing her steps to find her phone.

Madeline Payne

UNC Chapel Hill

Madeline Payne is a PhD student of Ecology, advised by Dr. Joel Fodrie at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences. She received her BS in Biological Sciences and her BA in World Languages from Southern Methodist University in 2022. Her current work focuses on the economic and ecological role of coastal foundation species (e.g., seagrasses) and the impacts of climate change on the range of these species. In addition to her research, she is passionate about bridging the gap between science and the general public in order to enact effective conservation policies and educate people on the value of protecting the environment. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, crafting, and learning new languages.

Researcher Team Leads

Amanda Cole

Duke University

Amanda Cole is the Undergraduate Program Coordinator at the Duke University Marine Lab. She has a BS in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston and an MS in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She is passionate about supporting undergraduate students in their studies and research endeavors. She previously worked as a marine science instructor, dive instructor, and program manager aboard SeaMester vessels, sailing around the world and teaching students for 5 years. Amanda is a North Carolina native, and she spends much of her free time walking and snuggling with her dog Stella.

Lindsay Curl

North Carolina State University

Lindsay Curl is a PhD student in Marine Science at the NC State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, advised by Dr. Stacy Zhang. She earned her BS in Biology from Kansas State University in 2017 and her MS in Biology from the University of West Florida in 2023. From 2018 to 2020, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia, Africa, working closely with local communities on sustainable development initiatives. Her current research explores the ecological interactions between seagrasses (Halodule wrightii and Zostera marina) and green sea turtles, as well as the accumulation of microplastics to uncover environmental contamination and inform seagrass restoration strategies. Alongside her research, she is a passionate advocate for science communication and community engagement, particularly around the interconnectedness of human and ocean health and the urgent need to reduce plastic waste. In her free time, she loves traveling, sipping tea, and any outdoor sports.

Researcher Team Support

Emma Dempsey

UNC Chapel Hill

Emma Dempsey is a PhD Student at UNC Chapel Hill in the Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences Department. She received her BA in Communication from SUNY Geneseo in 2018 and her MSc. in Environmental Science from Pace University in 2020. As part of the Noble Lab, she studies coastal water quality with an emphasis on the impacts of wastewater contamination on recreational and fisheries services. She is particularly interested in research at the intersection of marine science and public health. Emma has had several professional roles that led to her interest in SciREN, including working as an Environmental Scientist for the US EPA, an Environmental Educator for a nature center, and a Preschool Teacher!

Doug Rouse

North Carolina State University

Doug Rouse is a biologist and outdoor enthusiast from Apex, North Carolina with outdoor interests ranging from SCUBA diving to wildlife photography to herpetology. He received a B.S. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018, and has since worked with alosid fish, colonial waterbirds, and currently works as the field crew lead for NCSU’s Crystal skipper project. 

Educator Team Lead

Heather Bruck

UNC Chapel Hill

Heather Bruck is a PhD student in the Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences Program (EMES) advised by Dr. Joel Fodrie at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences. She received her BS in Biology from the University of South Carolina in 2023. Her current work centers around marine coastal ecology with a focus on how organismal behavior changes seagrass reproduction and growth. She is passionate about creative communication to wider audiences using art, animations, and writing to share scientific concepts.

Finance Team Lead

Jessica Phillips

UNC Chapel Hill

Jessica Phillips is the UNC-CH Departmental HR of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences working onsite at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences. She received her BA in Psychology in 2022 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Working alongside PIs and graduate students, Jessica is committed to creating an academic environment conducive to both individual development and institutional success.

Marketing Team Leads

Mary Kate Rinderle

UNC Chapel Hill

MK Rinderle is a PhD student in the Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences Program (EMES) advised by Dr. Nathan Hall at UNC’s Institute of Marine Sciences. She received her BS in Environmental Sciences from The Ohio State University in 2023. Her research focuses on the biological, chemical, and physical factors driving cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms and strategies to mitigate these blooms. She is passionate about encouraging participation in STEM and helping students navigate the world of research.

Jillian Daly

NC Coastal Reserve & NERR

Jillian Daly is the Communications Specialist for the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve, based in Beaufort, NC. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022. Passionate about marine science communication, Jillian enjoys sharing the wonders of coastal ecology and the research happening along North Carolina’s shores with both locals and visitors. She also runs an Instagram account, @marineinvertgirl, where she highlights the fascinating marine life she encounters while exploring estuarine habitats and paddling to local sandbars.

For questions, please contact us as ScirenCoastTeam@gmail.com.