Microplastics Conference Speakers

Dr. Amy V. Uhrin

Marine Debris Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Dr. Amy V. Uhrin is a marine biologist and ecologist who has over 25 years of experience in the worlds of science and government. Dr. Uhrin currently serves as the Chief Scientist of the Marine Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  In that role she is responsible for developing and implementing the Program’s Strategic Research Plan, overseeing the Program’s diverse research portfolio, and leading internal research projects as well as overseeing external research projects funded by the Program.

Dr. Uhrin has served on several national and international expert working groups and advisory boards about plastic pollution and is regularly asked to provide scientific input and support to a number of national and international agencies and intergovernmental organizations which have included the National Academies of Science, US State Department, US Agency for International Development, North Pacific Marine Science Organization, European Union Technical Group on Marine Litter, EUROqCHARM Consortium, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science & Technology and the UN Environment Programme.

Dr. Uhrin received a B.S. in biology from St. Bonaventure University, a M.S. in biological oceanography from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, and a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied marine landscape ecology. She is known for her work on disturbance dynamics and restoration in seagrass landscapes as well as the prevalence and impacts of derelict fishing gear in marine and coastal habitats.

Andrew Wunderley

Charleston Waterkeeper

Andrew is Charleston’s Waterkeeper and serves as the eyes, ears, and voice of local waterways.

Andrew earned his J.D. cum laude from the Charleston School of Law in 2008. During law school he was a member of the Charleston Law Review and the Moot Court Board. After graduation Andrew served as law clerk to the Honorable James E. Lockemy at the South Carolina Court of Appeals and also as a Staff Attorney at the Court of Appeals.

Prior to law school, Andrew earned a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from the Graduate School at the College of Charleston. His masters research explored the role of the public trust doctrine in South Carolina’s Coastal Zone Management Plan and advocated for a more complete use of the doctrine’s authority in the regulation and management of the state’s coastal zone natural resources.

Before graduate and law school, Andrew served as head coach of the Palmetto Masters Swim Team from 1997 to 2005. He coached Kathleen Wilson to a successful crossing of the English Channel in 2001 and four other marathon swims.

Andrew is a lifelong swimmer and surfer and has swum, surfed and paddled almost all Charleston’s local waterways. He lives on James Island with his wife and two children.

Jestine Deepe

Mount Pleasant Water Works

Jestine Deepe is an accomplished laboratory director at Mount Pleasant Waterworks (MPW). She holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston. At MPW, Jestine is responsible for maintaining regulatory compliance and managing laboratory operations for both drinking water and wastewater treatment. Her expertise is backed by state licenses as a Biological Wastewater Operator, Water Treatment Operator, and Water Distribution Operator.

Jestine’s career began as a graduate intern at MPW, where she conducted research on PBDEs throughout the wastewater treatment process. Over the past 15 years, she has hosted numerous MES students from the College of Charleston Graduate School. Together, they have published works on impaired water bodies, microplastics and investigated nitrification in drinking water systems.

Currently, Jestine and her team are working on projects aimed at improving septic systems and watershed health throughout the Mount Pleasant service area. Her passion for environmental issues is evident in her continuous collaboration with the College of Charleston and local stakeholders to address water resource challenges and environmental issues that impact the Lowcountry and coastal communities.

Dr. John E. Weinstein

The Citadel

Dr. John E. Weinstein is a Professor of Biology and Assistant Provost for Research at The Citadel. He earned a B.A. in Biology from Rutgers University, an M.S. in Biology from East Carolina University, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of South Carolina. He has been at The Citadel for the past 24 years. His research expertise is in the area of environmental toxicology with a focus on natural and anthropogenic stressor interactions in salt marsh habitats. For the past 10 years, the focus of his research has been on the sources, fate, and effects of plastic and microplastic pollution in Charleston Harbor. Among the major findings of this ongoing research are 1) the high proportion of tire and road wear particles in the microplastic debris of the harbor, 2) the increased elimination time associated with the ingestion of microplastics in shrimp, and 3) the relatively rapid degradation of single-use plastics in salt marsh habitats and their concurrent release of microplastic particles. Other related research projects have included characterizing microplastic abundance in oysters and estimating human dietary exposures, investigating pathways of microplastic entry into our coastal waters through stormwater infrastructure, and assessing the role of nuisance flooding as a contributor of microplastics to our coastal waters.

Dr. Joshua Brown, National Sea Grant Office

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Joshua Brown is the Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development Lead for the National Sea Grant Office. He liaises with the Sea Grant Education Network as well as the broader NOAA Education community as Sea Grant’s representative on the NOAA Education Council. Additionally, he serves as a program officer for Sea Grant programs in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Caribbean. He is also leading many of Sea Grant’s efforts under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Joshua holds a Ph.D. in Earth, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Toledo, a Master’s degree in Integrative Biology from Brigham Young University, and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Wabash College. Joshua’s research interests focus on the evolutionary relationships within and among species, especially in response to novel environmental stressors.

Lisa Rider

Coastal Carolina Riverwatch

Lisa Rider, the Executive Director of Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, hails from the coastal regions of North Carolina, bringing with her over three decades of dedicated volunteer work in removing marine debris from coastal waterways, working in the community to design solid waste infrastructure to prevent marine debris, and researching impacts to plastic pollution in coastal environments. Lisa is a local advocate for coastal protection and an accomplished professional with 16 years of experience in local government and 5 years experience in nonprofit management.

Driven by her passion for safeguarding the coast, Lisa founded the NC Marine Debris Symposium, an annual event she has hosted for 11 years. Her commitment extends further as she actively participates in the Mid-Atlantic NOAA Marine Debris Program Consortium, where she led the regional consumer debris prevention and removal planning team for several years. Lisa is also a co-writer for the NC Marine Debris Action Plan and has contributed significantly to the Southern Atlantic regional NOAA Marine Debris Plan.

Lisa’s journey with Coastal Carolina Riverwatch began in 2019, where she provides strategic collaborative planning and groundswell advocacy to further the organization’s mission. Through these efforts, Lisa co-designed the Water Quality for Fisheries program, which provided a process in which the coastal NC fishing community prioritized plastic pollution as one of the top five water quality concerns that impact coastal fisheries. Lisa actively facilitates water quality research efforts, including projects on plastic pollution and microplastic contamination, recently collaborating with “Plastics” co-author and researcher Dr. Imari Walker-Franklin at RTI. At CCRW, Lisa works to conduct research to influence local policy change and improve infrastructure needs to protect the quality of water and quality of life from persistent plastic pollution in coastal NC.

Dr. Lonnie Gonsalves

Division Chief, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Stressor Detection and Impacts Division

As Division Chief, Dr. Gonsalves leads strategic planning, resourcing, and coordination of an applied research and development portfolio spanning the core areas of 1) coastal contamination, 2) Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia, 3) coral health and habitat quality, and 4) development of new technologies to advance stressor detection and observing capabilities. Lonnie also serves as the current Chair of the NOAA Line Office Transition Management Council (LOTMC) where he helps to drive successful transition of NOAA research and development into application, operations, commercialization, and other uses. Dr. Gonsalves is a member of the cross-NOAA community of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Champions. He serves as the Co-Technical Monitor for the NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and has led multiple cross-NOAA initiatives to drive DEIA through science and workforce recruitment efforts.

Dr. Michael Denson

Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)

Dr. Michael Denson is the Director of the Hollings Marine Laboratory and Deputy Chief of the Stressor Detection and Impacts Division of NOS’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. Prior to joining NCCOS, Dr. Denson served for a decade as the Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Research Institute.  Before becoming Director Dr. Denson conducted aquaculture and fisheries research on recreationally and commercially important fish species since 1993. Dr. Denson received an MS and Ph.D. from Clemson University, working on aquaculture and fisheries ecology questions. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from Southampton College of Long Island University.

Dr. Susan Lovelace

South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

Susan provides leadership and guidance for the agency and identifies the strategic directions for S.C. Sea Grant Consortium-funded research, education, and outreach. She also provides administration of the agency, updating State and Federal legislators, partners, and staff about agency activities. She leads a multi-disciplinary staff as they work with researchers, businesses, communities, and organizations to sustain, appreciate, and wisely use the ecosystem services of the South Carolina coast while understanding and responding to the challenges and opportunities of changes in climate and land use.

Susan earned a Ph.D. in coastal resource management at East Carolina University, a B.S. in science education also at East Carolina University, and a B.S. in zoology at North Carolina State University. She previously was S.C. Sea Grant Consortium’s assistant director for development and extension, and prior to this she was manager of the Human Dimensions Research Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hollings Marine Laboratory.