Melisa Rodriguez Email & Phone Number

Long Beach, California, United States

I work for the National Marine Fishery Service's (NMFS) Restoration Center within the Office of Habitat Conservation collaborating with partners across the nation to restore habitat to sustain fisheries, recover protected species, and maintain resilient coastal ecosystems and communities.I oversee financial assistance awards in amounts up to $15,000,000 including program grants. I develop, review, and track restoration project scopes of work, budgets, and deliverables. I plan, develop, and evaluate the success of coastal and marine restoration projects and ensure they are aligned with NMFS goals and responsibilities under Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Oil Pollution Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.I evaluate compliance with laws and regulations for ongoing and completed restoration projects to assess the overall impacts of projects.I engage and assist internal and external partners to support planning, implementation, oversight, and evaluation of restoration projects, and provide solutions for identified issues or concerns.Many of the projects I work with involve underserved and tribal communities, specifically.

San Diego, California, United States

I responded to stranded marine animal calls, communicate with the public, and assist with necropsies (port-mortem examinations of animals) to determine causes of death. These findings contribute to historical data to determine how humans may be negatively impacting protected species. I also contributed to ongoing conservation research of threatened green sea turtles in Southern California by participating in annual capture studies that involve collecting and analyzing data related to genetics, movements, demography, growth, toxicology, and foraging ecology.

La Jolla Shores, California, United States

I earned my Master's degree in the interdisciplinary Marine Biodiversity and Conservation program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. My capstone project involved a data and visual analysis of southern California green sea turtles to include historical stranding and sighting data and necropsy findings to determine what the greatest anthropogenic impacts currently are on this recovering species. I developed recommendations to reduce this impact and the accompanying Story Map can be viewed here: https://arcg.is/0eX1zK

Denver, Colorado, United States

I earned a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy from the University of Denver to gain expertise in this ever-evolving field. Policies, regulations, and laws are crucial to the protection of the marine environment and are tools necessary to enact changes at all levels of government.

As an All-Source Intelligence Officer, I was responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence from multiple sources to support military operations. This includes gathering information from human intelligence, signals intelligence, imagery intelligence, and other sources to assess enemy capabilities, intentions, and vulnerabilities. I used advanced technology and analytical techniques to produce comprehensive intelligence reports and briefings for commanders, helping them make informed decisions and plan strategic actions. Additionally, I collaborated with other intelligence agencies and units to ensure a holistic and accurate intelligence picture.I also served as the Special Security Representative responsible for all security clearance-related matters, physical security operations, information security, and indoctrination of personnel on the lifetime commitment to protect sensitive information.

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Master'S Of Advanced Studies, Marine Biodiversity And Conservation

Graduate Certificate, Environmental Policy

Bachelor’S Of Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, General And Minor In Applied Psychology