Currently, I am responsible for building partnerships and implementing coastal-related projects in the Western Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair focus areas. This involves meeting with partners (other biologists/conservation professionals within the Fish and Wildlife Service and outside of the agency) and the public both one on one and in regional meeting settings to identify potential projects of mutual interest. It also includes working with the USFWS Great Lakes Coastal Program team in reviewing and identifying priority projects across the Great Lakes region, building expertise in coastal restoration and science to share with team members, and generally supporting the implementation of the Coastal Program in the Great Lakes.During my Knauss Fellowship in NOAA's Marine Debris program, I have gained in-depth knowledge of marine debris issues affecting our ocean and Great Lakes, expertise on NOAA programs related to fishing gear and reducing impacts of fishing gear on the marine environment, living marine resources, and the economy, and experience in working with international partners and the U.S. Department of State to address transnational marine debris issues. Experienced Research Assistant with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. I am skilled in Statistics, Research, Marine Biology, Bioinformatics, and Laboratory Skills. Strong research professional attaining a Master's in Marine-Estuarine Environmental Sciences from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science focused on Ecological Systems.