Staff & Alumni

This Year's Staff

Welcome Oceanography Camp for Especially Girls 2024 Campers

Meet the OCG Leaders & Science Mentors

Teresa Greely, PhD – Program Director

Welcome to the USF College of Marine Science (CMS)! I am Teresa, and one of my joy job’s is to direct the Oceanography Camp for Girls each summer. My first OCG was in 1992 when I was a graduate student in the CMS. I graduated twice from USF, as a marine biologist and then as a science educator.  My research has been exploring ocean literacy to help understand what people know about, feel about, and would do for the ocean; and, marine ecology research to help understand how fishes are adapted to live where they live in the ocean, and their contribution to global carbon cycling. This amazing career in ocean sciences and education has taken me to many places---aboard an icebreaker in the Southern Ocean to study deep sea fishes, diving in submersibles for jellies, aboard the R/V Atlantis to film hydrothermal vents with Alvin, and sailing aboard the R/V Joides Resolution to collect sediment cores from the deep ocean floor. Each work day I have the privilege of teaching and training college students, teachers, and K-12 students about the ocean, and helping develop teaching, leadship, and communication skills. For fun I listen to music, read, cycle, hike, volunteer, and spend time with family and friends. Every year is filled with new adventures. I look forward to making positive memories with each of you.

Makenzie Kerr, M.S. – OCG Coordinator

Hi campers! My name is Makenzie. I was a camper in 2009 and returned to camp in 2018 as a science mentor. Growing up in Saint Petersburg, FL, I have always loved the ocean and the animals that live there. I graduated from USF’s College of Marine Science with a Master’s degree and my work focuses on DNA barcoding, which allows me to identify fish eggs using their genetic material instead of their physical features. I currently work as an OCG coordinator and as a Lab Manager & Outreach Coordinator at USF. I absolutely love sharing my passion for the ocean with others. My favorite part of OCG is teaching girls about the smallest creatures in the oceans, like plankton, baby fish, and bacteria, and seeing their faces light up when they see something new. 

Michael Sipes - Logistics

Howdy, my name is Mike and I’ve been with OCG since 2013. I was born and raised here in Tampa Bay and received my degree in Marine Biology at USFSP. I’m currently a Science Teacher at Chamberlain High School here in Hillsborough County but I still enjoy getting back to my research roots from time to time. Putting my 25+ years of fishing experience to use, most of my past research has focused on studying fish populations here in Tampa Bay. However, in recent years my research has also branched out into include sponges and plankton. I have tons of awesome memories from camp but my favorites are usually fishing on the Research Vessel or my Fish Ecology Lab.

Christa Baranowski - Fellow

Hi there! My name is Christa and I am from SE Florida (Hollywood), I started my undergrad degree in coastal biology at UNF in Jacksonville, and due to external hardships transferred to USF after my first year to continue and graduate with my biology degree in the Fall of 2020. I took about 2 years away from academia to make ends meet during the pandemic and test my feet in the corporate side of biology, where I learned that at least part of my job needs to be outside! This pushed me to return to academia and pursue my master's degree in biological oceanography here at CMS, where I and currently learning the coding language Python to better help analyze the almost decade worth of continuous monitoring data from several profiler moorings. My current project is centered around phytoplankton dynamics and spring bloom timing in the NW Pacific Ocean. Although I have not participated in OCG, I have heard many amazing things about it. I think i am most excited to see the next generation of potential marine scientists have their spark lit to protect the environment like I did when I was younger.

Kylee Rullo – Fellow

I am originally from Cape Coral, FL and I went to undergrad at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL. I am graduating with my Master's in Biological Oceanography and I am beginning my PhD program in Marine Resource Assessment in January studying recreational fish species and their interaction with pollutants in Tampa Bay. My favorite OCG memory is the first year when I got to watch all of the girls do their presentations at the end of the camp. I was amazed by how much they were able to learn and do in such a short time! I, of course, also love Caladesi Island.

Alexandra Lee – Fellow

I am from Elk River, Minnesota and I went to college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. I am currently a student at USF's College of Marine Science working towards a Master's degree in Marine Science. I did not attend OCG camp, as I recently moved down from Minnesota to attend USF-CMS, but I am super excited to connect with students and inspire a love and curiosity for marine science!

Marty Sims – Fellow

I am from Atlanta, GA. I hold an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of West Georgia (UWG). During my junior year at UWG, a handful of students and myself founded the Marine Science Club, of which I served as Vice President during my senior year. As a current Marine Science master’s student at the University of South Florida, I am very eager to share my passion and enjoyment for marine science. Reflecting on my own experiences, I recognize the value of opportunities that nurture a love for science from a young age. I am most excited to contribute meaningfully to the realization of this dream for future generations, especially for aspiring female scientists.

Orion Schomber – Fellow

Hi! My name is Orion and I was raised in Springfield, Virginia, but moved to Tacoma, Washington for college. I received undergraduate degrees for geoscience and environmental studies. I am currently working on getting my Master's in geological oceanography. This is my second year as a science mentor for OCG! My favorite memory from OCG is kayaking to Shell Key!

Savanna Finley – Science Mentor 

I am a longtime local of Florida, being from the panhandle before moving here to Sarasota. My undergrad was at the University of West Florida where I got my bachelors in Marine Biology. I moved here and started my Masters and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction for Science Education and will be finishing that in the next few years. My favorite OCG memory is getting to see all the girls get so excited about the small things like figuring out how to do a new skill or finding a new favorite fish.

Alec Timpe – Science Mentor 

I am a PhD candidate studying comparative physiology at the USF College of Marine Science. I study how changes in an animal's environment, particularly temperature and oxygen, affect their metabolic characteristics. From this, we try to predict how animals may be able (or not) to cope with climate change or additional stressors. My favorite OCG memory was seeing a huge school of cownose rays on the Angari cruise! I'm excited to get back in the water and explore the natural environment.

Ella Hasty – Counselor

I am from Orlando, Florida and I am currently an undergrad at the University of South Florida. I am a marine biology major, and my favorite memory from last year's OCG was the Caladesi trip. I loved being able to teach the campers about the beach and it's resources.

Aaliyah Miller – Counselor

Chicago area originally; PHSC, FIU, and USF; I study marine biology and currently help coordinate the kid's programs at Carlouel Yacht Club. I loved absolutely every moment of OCG, including kissing my first fish, SeaWorld, working amongst such intelligent, kind-hearted individuals, taking my first sediment core, having a girl tell me I was a good teacher, etc.  I am excited to experience it all again!!

Cassidy Lechner – Counselor

I am from New Jersey and I moved to Florida to attend USF and pursue a degree in Marine Biology. I am in my junior year because I received 31 credits in my senior year of high school through a dual enrollment program at Kean University. I have not worked for this camp in the past, but I have worked at a summer camp in New Jersey for the past three years. I would love to work at an Oceanography summer camp because this is my career interest and something I truly love.

Kiersten Scharfenberg – Counselor

Howdy! My name is Kiersten and I'm currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in Marine Biology with a minor in Environmental Science and policy here at USF. I am originally from Kissimmee and now studying in Tampa and St. Pete. My love for the water and the Florida environment is what started me on this journey! I am interested in native fish species and coastal interactions- I hope to share my joy and look forward to meeting everyone!