Thomas Potts Email & Phone Number

Miami, Fl, Us

Islamorada, Florida, United States

Utilize 30 years of expertise from the Aquarius Reef Base in planning, permitting, stakeholder engagement, and business plan development to support the successful deployment of Vanguard in 2025.

San Francisco Bay Area

Primary Contributions:As a biology content expert at Outlier.ai, my key responsibilities revolve around training generative AI models to enhance their understanding of biological concepts. This involves crafting intricate prompts and providing accurate answers to refine the AI's knowledge base. Additionally, I meticulously evaluate and rank responses generated by the AI, ensuring their quality and relevance. Leveraging my domain expertise, I play a pivotal role in assessing the factuality and appropriateness of text produced by AI models, contributing to their continual improvement and real-world applicability.

Wilmington, North Carolina Area

As an Adjunct Research Faculty member, I bring a wealth of operational expertise to the realm of marine ecosystem science, specializing in the utilization of cutting-edge undersea assets. My current focus revolves around advancing our understanding of coral reef ecology and contributing to the development and management of marine protected areas.

Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

As the Associate Director of Research at Aquarius Reef Base, a globally renowned underwater laboratory located 60 feet below the ocean surface, I played a pivotal role in advancing marine science, technology, and education.Key Achievements:• Partnership Cultivation: Forging collaborations with scientists, engineers, conservationists, and educators, I spearheaded innovative marine ecosystem research projects, positioning Aquarius Reef Base as a hub for cutting-edge studies.• NASA Collaboration: Collaborated with NASA to leverage Aquarius as a space flight analog, contributing to pioneering research at the intersection of undersea exploration and space science.• Operational Oversight: Provided administrative, operational, logistical, and programmatic oversight for 45 research missions within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.• Strategic Transition: In 2013, orchestrated the successful transition of $2.5M in program assets and personnel from the University of North Carolina Wilmington to FIU, marking the conclusion of a 35-year NOAA institutional grant.• Revenue Diversification: Developed and implemented new business models, substantially increasing program offerings and diversifying revenue streams for Aquarius Reef Base over a decade.• Grant Acquisition: Secured grants and awards exceeding $2.0M, contributing significantly to the financial sustainability and growth of the program.• Education Initiatives: Led the development and oversight of the Aquarius Advanced Adult Learning and Training Program, fostering a dynamic environment for continuous learning among professionals. Established the Aquarius Academy, a standards-based K-12 science education enterprise, broadening the reach of marine science education to schools and communities.My tenure at Aquarius Reef Base reflects a commitment to pushing the boundaries of marine research, fostering education, and strategically positioning the program for sustained success.

Wilmington, North Carolina Area

As the Director of NOAA's National Undersea Research Center at UNCW, a distinctive national service supporting scientists working in undersea environments from 1985 to 2012, I expanded the program's reach and impact through strategic planning, effective financial management, and collaborative initiatives.Key Contributions:• Leadership Advancement: Ascended from Associate Director to Program Director, overseeing undersea research activities from North Carolina to Texas. • Team Leadership: Led interdisciplinary teams of up to 22 staff members, fostering collaboration across science, administrative, and operations functions.• Strategic Planning: Developed and executed the center's annual science and operating plans, ensuring alignment with university, state, and federal regulations and policies.• Financial Management: Managed annual program funding of $1.2M to $4.4M, exercising diligent oversight to ensure optimal resource allocation.• Grant Acquisition: Demonstrated an exceptional ability to secure grants and awards, resulting in induction into UNCW's Ten Million Dollar Club. • Collaborative Initiatives: Formulated annual science objectives, explored collaborative efforts with multi-agency and university partners, and sought extramural funding to enhance the center's research portfolio.• Proposal Review: Directed the center's annual proposal review process for extramural grants, from the development of requests for proposals (RFPs) to subaward assignments and post-project documentation.• Operational Expertise: Served in operational capacities on 34 research projects, contributing hands-on expertise to ensure the success of field-based marine operations.

Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

As an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) from January 1996 to December 2009, I actively contributed to the academic community by developing and teaching a cross-listed undergraduate and graduate-level course, EVS 380 – Undersea Science and Technology. In this role, I not only delivered engaging and informative lectures but also took on the responsibility of instructing and mentoring students participating in UNCW's Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics program for high school students.My commitment to education extended beyond the classroom, emphasizing hands-on learning experiences and practical applications of undersea science and technology. Leveraging my extensive background in marine science and research coordination, I brought real-world insights into the curriculum, fostering an environment where students could connect theoretical knowledge with practical challenges in the field.As an Adjunct Lecturer, my role went beyond traditional teaching, encompassing mentorship, curriculum development, and a commitment to fostering a passion for undersea science and technology among students.

Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

As the Science Director at NOAA's National Undersea Research Center at UNCW, I undertook the following roles and responsibilities:• Formulated and drafted the center’s annual research announcement and proposal guidelines.• Orchestrated the seamless integration of individual research programs with center initiatives and operational capabilities.• Led the center’s annual proposal review process, ensuring rigorous adherence to our strategic objectives.• Demonstrated precision in the development and meticulous tracking of center-wide fiscal spending, managing budgets ranging from $2.2M to $3.4M, consistently upholding grant compliance standards.• Played a pivotal role in shaping and contributing to the center’s annual omnibus proposal submitted to NOAA.• Authored comprehensive semi-annual progress reports and various federal, state, and university documents.• Directly engaged in operational capacities, providing substantial contributions to the success of research projects.

Savannah, Georgia Area

In my part-time contract position as Research Coordinator, I collaborated on the development of program-wide research and monitoring initiatives in conjunction with the regional science community. Additionally, I served as staff scientist during sanctuary management plan revisions and Sanctuary Advisory Council meetings. I co-led a scuba-based fish monitoring program and participated in the Sustainable Seas Expedition as a Deep Worker submersible pilot and scientist.

Executive Business Certificate

M.S., Marine Biology

B.S., Biology