Faces of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center Series
Here we introduce the people who work at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center.
In this series, we feature a new "face" from the Center and share with you a bit about who they are and what they do here.
Meet our staff featured in 2023
Meet our staff featured in 2022
Meet our staff featured in 2021
Jonathan Venable
NOAA IN FISH Intern
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I am working with Joe Serafy, Mandy Karnauskas, and intern Alyssa Therrien to conduct an independent 5-year review of the center's Ecosystem, Climate, and Stock Assessment Improvement program submissions and funded projects.
Bianca Sproul
Communications Intern
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I am currently working on an outreach event that will be an opportunity for NOAA scientists to discuss their research on a panel with local organizations working in similar fields. The goal is to foster an open dialogue between local residents who would like to learn more about the research of NOAA and relevant groups who can offer action items and volunteer opportunities for those to get involved. I hope that, through my work on this project, it can become a model for similar initiatives in the future for the center and local engagement in the Miami area and across the Southeast.
Honoring Joan Browder
Research Fishery Biologist
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Joan Browder led a distinguished four-decade career at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, where she pioneered many of our scientific programs. She tirelessly applied her considerable expertise in support of Biscayne Bay and Everglades restoration projects. Dr. Browder was a huge part of the success of those programs and the young scientists she mentored. More importantly, she was a kind, genuine, and considerate person.
Joan passed away in May 2024. She is deeply missed by her friends and colleagues at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center and across the marine science community.
Learn more about Joan, her research, and notable achievements
Mitchell Rider
Postdoctoral Research Associate
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I’m a Postdoctoral Research Associate studying several aspects of sea turtle movement ecology. My research involves developing species distribution models for several sea turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic using both telemetry and bycatch data. These models will then be used to analyze any overlap with human-driven threats such as fisheries and vessel traffic, which should inform management strategies to help further protect these populations.
Kristin Hannan
Biological Science Technician
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Kristin monitors the abundance and distribution of, and provides life history information for, several coastal shark and fish species throughout the Gulf of Mexico and southeast Atlantic. Her primary responsibility is organizing and participating in the annual Bottom Longline Survey.
Erin Pickett
Research Associate
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I work with the Southeast Fisheries-Independent Survey group, based in Beaufort, North Carolina, in the Population and Ecosystems Monitoring Division. We support stock assessments of reef fish in the U.S. South Atlantic by conducting annual trap video surveys and processing underwater video footage. We spend a good part of May through September working on the R/V Savannah and NOAA ship Pisces, setting chevron fish traps, collecting video data, and processing thousands of fish to collect otoliths and other biological samples. It’s a great time of year, where I spend a lot of time in the sun smelling like decomposing menhaden and covered in red snapper slime. Throughout the rest of the year, I work with others to read the videos collected over the course of the cruise season to provide up-to-date data and indices of abundance for priority species like red snapper and gray triggerfish. The next year, we do it all over again!
Skyler Rose Sagarese
Research Ecologist
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My primary role is to conduct stock assessments for federally managed species in the Gulf of Mexico. I dedicate most of my time to developing modeling tools to address ecosystem questions and support the center's shift to an ecosystem-based fisheries management approach. I am one of the few employees actively co-developing ecosystem models and contributing to the Integrated Ecosystem Assessment program. As part of a multi-disciplinary RESTORE project, I co-led development of a Gulf-wide ecosystem model, which was used recently to develop ecological reference points—benchmarks used to assess fishery status—for Gulf menhaden.
Joy Merino
Fisheries Biologist
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I’m involved with many aspects of the Habitat Ecology Branch of the Population and Ecosystems Monitoring Division including social science, tribal engagement, Caribbean work (habitat, strategic planning, funding governance), acquisitions, aquaculture, employee morale, and wind energy. For 20 years, I supported the Restoration Center in coastal Louisiana where I worked via a cooperative agreement and grants in partnership with several federal agencies.
Hannah Shahmoradi
Communications Intern
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I work with the communications team and we work on strategies to share the research being conducted at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center with the public. We develop social media content, write web stories and blog posts, attend conferences, and network with scientists throughout the center.
Joseph Pfaller
Sea Turtle Branch Chief
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I am the Sea Turtle Branch Chief within the Marine Mammal and Turtle Division. Our mission is to conduct science that leads to improved knowledge and meaningful conservation of marine mammals and turtles and their habitats. I work with division leadership to provide administrative support for division members and our activities, plan and oversee the execution of our budget, and serve as the point of contact for the branch. As the Sea Turtle Branch Chief, I oversee budget and research planning, conduct and publish research, and help facilitate the success of the branch and its members. We apply state-of-the-art analytical tools and modeling approaches to generate scientific products and decision-support tools to answer complex research and management questions.