Title: Curator About: I’m originally from Canton, Ohio and moved here to Key West 10 years ago.

Title: Assistant Curator/Operations Manager About: I was born and raised in Eustis, FL, originally. I moved to Key West in June 2000. I have left and returned to KWAQ multiple times after pursuing other opportunities. Key West always calls me back home. I have worked in the zoological industry since June 2000 in multiple roles including educator, safari educator, aquarist, reptile keeper, and dolphin trainer. Along with the Key West Aquarium, I’ve worked for Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts, and the Orlando Science Center. My favorite marine animals are cuttlefish. I was lucky enough to aquaculture a common species, S. bandensis, and it has been a highlight of my career.

Title: Educator About: I am originally from central Pennsylvania but resided in Virginia for 40 years. I moved to Key West in August 2016 after my husband passed. I am crazy about reptiles and amphibians, snorkeling, swamps, and wildflowers. My late husband would say he married me because I knew more about snails than he did! I don’t have a favorite marine animal but the octopus fascinates me because of its amazing abilities!

 

Title: Lead Tour Guide About: I am originally from Waterfort, CT and I moved to the Florida Keys in 2010. I have resided in Key West since January 2017. I earned my degree in Marine Biology from the University of New Hampshire; I’ve been in the marine science field and working as an outdoor educator for 10 years. My favorite marine animal is the octopus because it’s incredibly smart, beautiful, and complex.

Title: Educator About: I am originally from Colorado and I moved to Key West in December 2015 to attend our local college. I play musical instruments and love to draw, paint, and crafts. I graduated from Florida Keys Community College in 2017 with my A.S. in Marine Environmental Technology and I’m a certified AAVS diver. My favorite marine animal is the octopus because facets of their intelligence rivals dolphins and humans! What’s not to love?

Title: Aquarist About: I’m originally from Oneonta, NY and I moved to Key West in 2017 to pursue my degree at Florida Keys Community College and to work in coral conservation. I through-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2200 mi) in 2016. My favorite marine animals are tunicates; they’re the closest invertebrate to vertebrates in the evolutionary tree of life.

Title: Aquarist About: I am originally from Akron, OH and I moved to Key West in June 2017 after graduating from Bowling Green State University. I majored in Marine Biology and I want to pursue a career in animal and aquarium husbandry. My favorite marine animals are sharks and eels.

 

Title: Assistant Engineer About: I am originally from Havana, Cuba and I moved to Key West in 1995. I have a crazy sense of humor, I like to make my teammates laugh. My favorite marine animals are sea turtles, because they are awesome like me!

Title: Lead Engineer About: I’m originally from Wisconsin and I moved to Key West in 2007 to never be cold again. I have completed dives in all of the world’s oceans except the Antarctic. My favorite marine animals are sharks. I’ve always been fascinated with this apex predator that is so misunderstood.  

Title: Educator About: I was born and raised in Key West. People born on the island are known as “Conchs”! If there was one thing I would want everyone to know about me it would be how much I love the ocean. My favorite animal is the conch because it is our high school mascot at Key West High. Go Conchs!