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.

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 Lead

Callie Hundley

Duke University

Callie Hundley is a PhD student in Marine Science and Conservation at the Duke University Marine Lab, advised by Dr. Juliet Wong. She earned a BA in Biology from Amherst College in 2024. Her very first research experiences included projects using citizen science data to track black bear distribution around Massachusetts and understanding the impacts of citizen science experience on K-12 students scientific identity, competency, and engagement. These projects had lasting impacts on Callie’s mindset as a scientist and brought her to the SciREN team. Her current research explores the mechanisms by which eastern oysters respond to changes in their environment and how prior stress exposure can be used as a method of preparing oysters to future stress. When she isn’t at the lab, Callie enjoys working out and reviewing new movies.

Research Team Support

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.

Nadya Gutierrez

UNC Chapel Hill

Nadya began her undergraduate career at Georgia College and State University to pursue a career as a soil scientist. Through various research experiences with aquatic macroinvertebrates and an internship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, she desired to pivot to the marine systems where she spends her days boating through coastal waters and exploring seagrass meadows. She is currently a PhD student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, based out of the Institute of Marine Sciences. Her current research projects center around the implications of habitat fragmentation of seagrass meadows and seagrass restoration. Because of her expertise she received a Quad Fellowship appointment in 2024, which provided her opportunities to meet with members of the White House and Department of State. This experience has inspired her to pursue a career with the US Department of State centered around international partnerships of coastal resource management. 

Educator Team Lead

Trip Brooks

North Carolina State University

Trip Brooks is a PhD student working at NCSU with Dr. Y Stacy Zhang in the Marine, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences Department. Previously, Trip earned his B.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology and B.A. in Psychology at East Carolina University. Trip’s research focuses on using genetic tools and applications to explore how seagrasses in NC coastal waters are reacting in response to environmental changes. He is interested in studying tropical species expansion in NC waters along with what the composition of future seagrass meadows will look like as coastal waters shift. Beyond the scope of research, Trip enjoys exploring coastal trails and wildlife watching.

Educator Team Support

Hannah Brown

North Carolina State University

Hannah Brown is a PhD student in the Toxicology program at the NC State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, advised by Dr. Maria Rodgers. She received her B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Christopher Newport University in 2021. After graduation, she joined the Aquatic Disease Initiative at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science where she worked on a variety of projects concerning disease pressures and organismal health within the Chesapeake Bay. Her current research explores the effects of contaminants on oyster health and immunity. She is particularly interested in examining how toxicants influence bacteria:bacteria interactions within oysters.

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

Alannah Anderson

North Carolina State University

Alannah is a senior at NC State University studying marine science with minors in zoology and applied ecology. During her time at university, she has done research in fisheries management and policy as well as the effects of bottom trawling on mid-trophic level species. She has helped the North Carolina Wildlife Federation with data visualization of population levels of NC state managed fisheries. After graduation she intends to pursue a career in coastal ecology management here in North Carolina.

Andrea Landaverde 

North Carolina State University

Andrea, originally from El Salvador, is a PhD candidate in Biology at the NC State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, where she studies how contaminants and climate change affect marine organisms. She received her BS in Environmental Sciences from Zamorano University, and her MS in Environmental Toxicology from Clemson University. Andrea is passionate about sharing science through visual communication, participatory science, and community engagement. 

Grace LaCognata

North Carolina State University

Grace LaCognata is an undergraduate student at NC State University studying Marine Science and Spanish. She is currently participating in undergraduate research that looks at understanding underwater soundscapes in the Turks and Caicos, analyzing oyster sanctuaries in the Pamlico Sound, and also worked on a coral reef restoration project in Bonaire. She is very passionate about making science accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

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