Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
University of Miami, RSMAS, Marine Ecosystems and Society M.S. December 2019.
“Evaluating the biological impact of The Ocean Cleanup’s initial trash removal system in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” Partially funded by The Ocean Cleanup
University of California, Santa Barbara, Ecology and Evolution Major B.Sc. June 2017.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fisheries Biologist I - March 2021 to present. Fieldwork based position involving communication with recreational anglers and biosampling in South Florida, collecting fisheries dependent data for both state and federal stock assessment.
Key Biscayne Community Foundation Citizen Scientist Project Outreach and Communications Consultant, Administrative Assistant, and Covid-19 Testing Coordinator – October 2019 to March 2021. Manages social media as well as website content for Citizen Scientist Project, developing science content. Administrative assistant for a South Florida non-profit who helped maintain and update website. Also served as the Covid-19 Testing Coordinator for the Foundation during the Covid-19 pandemic, scheduling over 3,500 tests for the community.
Deep Green Wilderness Lead Educator/Deckhand - April 2020 to June 2020. Lead educator on SV Orion, teaching about the Salish Sea ecosystem and marine conservation. Learned and planned lesson plans for the sailing season and attended the 2020 Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference before the position ended due to Covid-19 global pandemic.
The Billfish Foundation Winthrop P. Rockefeller Fellow – October 2019 to April 2020. Authored a report on the changes in fishing gear and technology which affected the catchability of billfish from 1973 through 2019 for future use in population assessments.
Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Nest Monitor – March 2019 to September 2019. Part-time paid position surveying Miami-Dade County beaches for evidence of sea turtle nesting and taking data on nests, hatchlings, and strandings. Also involves outreach events to teach the public about sea turtle nesting on local beaches.
National Ocean Sciences Bowl Moderator – February 2018, February 2019, February 2020. Volunteer position moderating a marine science bowl regional competition for high school teams.
Arrowbear Music Camp Counselor – Summer 2014 to Summer 2017. Paid counselor for a sleep-away music camp, aided music instruction, planned group activities, and led hikes.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Hearst Intern – January 2016 to August 2016. Designed and taught the class “Ecosystem Services of the Santa Barbara Channel” to high school students in the Quasars to Sea Stars Program at the Museum during the summer of 2016.
Baja Field Study Group Leader – April 2015 and 2016. Unpaid group leader for Dana Hills High School Marine Ecology Field Study to Animas Bay in Baja California. Led interactive program teaching senior high school students about multiple biomes of the Sea of Cortez.
The REEF at UCSB Intern – Fall 2013 to Fall 2014. Paid and Volunteer Intern. Planned and taught science curriculum to visiting schools (grades K - 12 and college).
Laguna Ocean Foundation Educator – August to September 2013. Paid position leading tours of tidepools and teaching members of the public about the local ecosystem.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center Various Positions – Summer 2008 to September 2013, Summer 2015. Held paid and volunteer positions including Camp Coordinator and Camp Counselor. Taught campers ages 8 to 12 about marine mammals, pinniped rescues, care, and rehabilitation. As an Animal Care Assistant 2011 to 2013, assisted feeding and care of injured and sick marine mammals. Also served as docent and crowd control attendant.
Ocean Institute Tidepool Interaction Program Educator – February 2009 to July 2012. Volunteered as a docent to teach members of the public about local tidepools, ocean environment, local geology, and environmental protection. Also led tidepool tours, trained new docents, and assisted with community events.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Briggs Lab Undergraduate Researcher UCSB – December 2016 to June 2017. Evaluating a novel treatment for treating chytrid fungus using Rana pipiens as a model species.
Carolyn Culver Project Intern UCSB – May 2014. Helped survey the Santa Barbara Harbor for the invasive alga Undaria.
Moorea Coral Reef Long Term Ecological Research Lab Volunteer UCSB – September 2013 to January 2014. Watched and recorded instances of predation on algae by specific reef fish to monitor ecology of reef in Moorea, French Polynesia.
PROTECTED SPECIES OBSERVER EXPERIENCE
2020 Bradenton Regatta - 8 February 2020. Observed 12 hours for manatee, dolphins, and turtles in mitigation zone for race.
The Ocean Cleanup System 001 Deployment - September and October 2018. 7 weeks experience observing for protected species including marine mammals and sea turtles during the offshore construction operations of The Ocean Cleanup.
OFFSHORE EXPERIENCE
Maersk Launcher and The Ocean Cleanup System 001 Deployment – 8 September 2018 to 28 October 2018. Participated in a 7-week offshore launch of The Ocean Cleanup’s System 001 and aided in various oceanographic and biological research projects during the time at sea.
Offshore Sailing on Kismet – 9 June 2018 to 15 June 2018. Helped deliver a 37’ sailboat from Miami, Florida to New Bern, North Carolina.
Sailing on Angantyr - 28 December 2017 to 2 January 2018. Helped sail a 61' sailboat near La Paz, Mexico in the surrounding Sea of Cortez.
CERTIFICATIONS
PUBLICATIONS
Gibbs, B., Schirripa, M., and P. Chaibongsai. In press. Technological and gear changes affecting the capture of billfish 1973-2019. Col. Vol. Sci. Pap.
ICCAT* (2019). Report of the 2019 ICCAT White Marlin Stock Assessment Meeting. ICCAT Col. Vol. Sci. Pap.
ICCAT* (2018). Report of the 2018 ICCAT Blue Marlin Stock Assessment Meeting. ICCAT Col. Vol. Sci. Pap. 75(5):813-888.
F. Caribbean. (2017). With M. Shivlani, I. Agosto, S. Chu, M. Graulty, L. Weiting, A. Norelli, M. Paul, G. Pezzeminti, and C. Stipek. Yearbook of International Environmental Law. 28: 279-291.
Published in the Barcode of Life October 2012 with JP Bryan and James Fallon. Prepared sequencing of DNA to aid identification of two species of rockfish.
*Published corporate technical report where I was a section writer
AWARDS
NSF Funded Workshop "Getting On-The-Spot Feedback from Your Audience" Participant
Everglades Coalition Conference Scholarship Recipient 2020
University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Merit Based Scholarship 2017
2013 National Ocean Science Bowl Scholar
Dana Hills High School National Ocean Science Bowl Team Captain
1st Place 2013, 2nd Place 2012, 1st Place JV Team 2011, 7th Place in Nationals 2013
National Student Orchestra Award Recipient, Dana Hills High School 2013
MEMBERSHIPS
2018 National Ocean Exploration Forum: All Hands On Deck – Participant
American Association for the Advancement of Science - Member
University of Miami Tricanes (Triathlon Team) – Nationally Ranked Member
Health and Wellness Committee Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science – Member
University of Miami, RSMAS, Marine Ecosystems and Society M.S. December 2019.
“Evaluating the biological impact of The Ocean Cleanup’s initial trash removal system in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” Partially funded by The Ocean Cleanup
University of California, Santa Barbara, Ecology and Evolution Major B.Sc. June 2017.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fisheries Biologist I - March 2021 to present. Fieldwork based position involving communication with recreational anglers and biosampling in South Florida, collecting fisheries dependent data for both state and federal stock assessment.
Key Biscayne Community Foundation Citizen Scientist Project Outreach and Communications Consultant, Administrative Assistant, and Covid-19 Testing Coordinator – October 2019 to March 2021. Manages social media as well as website content for Citizen Scientist Project, developing science content. Administrative assistant for a South Florida non-profit who helped maintain and update website. Also served as the Covid-19 Testing Coordinator for the Foundation during the Covid-19 pandemic, scheduling over 3,500 tests for the community.
Deep Green Wilderness Lead Educator/Deckhand - April 2020 to June 2020. Lead educator on SV Orion, teaching about the Salish Sea ecosystem and marine conservation. Learned and planned lesson plans for the sailing season and attended the 2020 Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference before the position ended due to Covid-19 global pandemic.
The Billfish Foundation Winthrop P. Rockefeller Fellow – October 2019 to April 2020. Authored a report on the changes in fishing gear and technology which affected the catchability of billfish from 1973 through 2019 for future use in population assessments.
Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Nest Monitor – March 2019 to September 2019. Part-time paid position surveying Miami-Dade County beaches for evidence of sea turtle nesting and taking data on nests, hatchlings, and strandings. Also involves outreach events to teach the public about sea turtle nesting on local beaches.
National Ocean Sciences Bowl Moderator – February 2018, February 2019, February 2020. Volunteer position moderating a marine science bowl regional competition for high school teams.
Arrowbear Music Camp Counselor – Summer 2014 to Summer 2017. Paid counselor for a sleep-away music camp, aided music instruction, planned group activities, and led hikes.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Hearst Intern – January 2016 to August 2016. Designed and taught the class “Ecosystem Services of the Santa Barbara Channel” to high school students in the Quasars to Sea Stars Program at the Museum during the summer of 2016.
Baja Field Study Group Leader – April 2015 and 2016. Unpaid group leader for Dana Hills High School Marine Ecology Field Study to Animas Bay in Baja California. Led interactive program teaching senior high school students about multiple biomes of the Sea of Cortez.
The REEF at UCSB Intern – Fall 2013 to Fall 2014. Paid and Volunteer Intern. Planned and taught science curriculum to visiting schools (grades K - 12 and college).
Laguna Ocean Foundation Educator – August to September 2013. Paid position leading tours of tidepools and teaching members of the public about the local ecosystem.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center Various Positions – Summer 2008 to September 2013, Summer 2015. Held paid and volunteer positions including Camp Coordinator and Camp Counselor. Taught campers ages 8 to 12 about marine mammals, pinniped rescues, care, and rehabilitation. As an Animal Care Assistant 2011 to 2013, assisted feeding and care of injured and sick marine mammals. Also served as docent and crowd control attendant.
Ocean Institute Tidepool Interaction Program Educator – February 2009 to July 2012. Volunteered as a docent to teach members of the public about local tidepools, ocean environment, local geology, and environmental protection. Also led tidepool tours, trained new docents, and assisted with community events.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Briggs Lab Undergraduate Researcher UCSB – December 2016 to June 2017. Evaluating a novel treatment for treating chytrid fungus using Rana pipiens as a model species.
Carolyn Culver Project Intern UCSB – May 2014. Helped survey the Santa Barbara Harbor for the invasive alga Undaria.
Moorea Coral Reef Long Term Ecological Research Lab Volunteer UCSB – September 2013 to January 2014. Watched and recorded instances of predation on algae by specific reef fish to monitor ecology of reef in Moorea, French Polynesia.
PROTECTED SPECIES OBSERVER EXPERIENCE
2020 Bradenton Regatta - 8 February 2020. Observed 12 hours for manatee, dolphins, and turtles in mitigation zone for race.
The Ocean Cleanup System 001 Deployment - September and October 2018. 7 weeks experience observing for protected species including marine mammals and sea turtles during the offshore construction operations of The Ocean Cleanup.
OFFSHORE EXPERIENCE
Maersk Launcher and The Ocean Cleanup System 001 Deployment – 8 September 2018 to 28 October 2018. Participated in a 7-week offshore launch of The Ocean Cleanup’s System 001 and aided in various oceanographic and biological research projects during the time at sea.
Offshore Sailing on Kismet – 9 June 2018 to 15 June 2018. Helped deliver a 37’ sailboat from Miami, Florida to New Bern, North Carolina.
Sailing on Angantyr - 28 December 2017 to 2 January 2018. Helped sail a 61' sailboat near La Paz, Mexico in the surrounding Sea of Cortez.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (OPITO/BOSIET)
- BOEM Certified Protected Species Observer (Seiche Training, September 2018)
- JNCC Certified Marine Mammal Observer (Seiche Training, September 2018)
PUBLICATIONS
Gibbs, B., Schirripa, M., and P. Chaibongsai. In press. Technological and gear changes affecting the capture of billfish 1973-2019. Col. Vol. Sci. Pap.
ICCAT* (2019). Report of the 2019 ICCAT White Marlin Stock Assessment Meeting. ICCAT Col. Vol. Sci. Pap.
ICCAT* (2018). Report of the 2018 ICCAT Blue Marlin Stock Assessment Meeting. ICCAT Col. Vol. Sci. Pap. 75(5):813-888.
F. Caribbean. (2017). With M. Shivlani, I. Agosto, S. Chu, M. Graulty, L. Weiting, A. Norelli, M. Paul, G. Pezzeminti, and C. Stipek. Yearbook of International Environmental Law. 28: 279-291.
Published in the Barcode of Life October 2012 with JP Bryan and James Fallon. Prepared sequencing of DNA to aid identification of two species of rockfish.
*Published corporate technical report where I was a section writer
AWARDS
NSF Funded Workshop "Getting On-The-Spot Feedback from Your Audience" Participant
Everglades Coalition Conference Scholarship Recipient 2020
University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Merit Based Scholarship 2017
2013 National Ocean Science Bowl Scholar
Dana Hills High School National Ocean Science Bowl Team Captain
1st Place 2013, 2nd Place 2012, 1st Place JV Team 2011, 7th Place in Nationals 2013
National Student Orchestra Award Recipient, Dana Hills High School 2013
MEMBERSHIPS
2018 National Ocean Exploration Forum: All Hands On Deck – Participant
American Association for the Advancement of Science - Member
University of Miami Tricanes (Triathlon Team) – Nationally Ranked Member
Health and Wellness Committee Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science – Member