The WFCRC Team 2021

 I have always been an Earth scientist; I just did not realize it. In my youth I was intrigued by our oceans and questioned the logic behind our using the ocean as a dumping ground. I think that day is in sight and we need to reverse our thinking to become a solution rather than the problem ...."head reef hugger"

BS Business Administration from the  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and MA Geological Sciences from the University of Texas, Austin. 

Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina, my parents instilled in me the love of land and water and the preservation of their beauty. As a geologist I have further developed my interest in preserving our earthly assets. I am honored to be associated with this worthy cause for the conservation of coral reefs.

Shelby Thomas, M.S.

Chief Executive Officer & 

Director of Research

Ocean Rescue Alliance

Specializes in marine conservation and restoration, she completed her masters in Marine Ecology and is currently completing her PhD in Marine Biology with the University of Florida. She is an environmentalist and marine conservation advocate who hopes to inspire others to protect our environments. She has worked with various restoration projects including coral, sea grass, oyster, sea-urchin, and scallop restoration. 

  Dr. Elena Keen has spent the past 15 years involved in the details of coastal zone management issues, taking an interdisciplinary approach through law, marine science, and community engagement. She completed her Ph.D. in Coastal and Marine System Science at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas.  She holds a master’s degree in Marine and Environmental Science from the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.  She is currently a Principal at Elena Keen Consulting, LLC in Corpus Christi, Texas, which provides expert assistance on complex coastal zone management matters on a national and international level. 

   As Founder and CEO of Marine Conservation Network, Kimberly started her passion for ocean and marine conservation as a teenager wanting to become a dolphin trainer. Her dad was a fisherman and took her boating nearly every weekend, and that is what motivated her to get involved with marine life and education. She received her marine biology degree and quickly realized that the oceans were under threat from plastic trash, overfishing, and lack of compassion for marine life. She initially began a company called “Sustainable Seafood Experience,” but

realized more coverage and education was needed concerning the many issues involving ocean conservation. She then incorporated MCN, Marine Conservation Network, as a 501(c)(3) andbegan a global effort to link ALL conservation organizations around the world. 

  Summer is a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and marine conservation expert and enthusiast. She strives to educate others through the power of GIS as she believes it's the key for many, if not all, conservation solutions. Summer has her Masters in GIS Management and wrote her thesis on the 'Design and Development of a Shark Tagging Database' in an effort to develop more efficient methods in sustainable fishing and shark research. She has worked with National Geographic's partner, Allen Coral Atlas, to provide GIS technical support and educational material to international conservationists who utilize the Atlas' data. 

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   My name is Sheila Nguyen and I am a graduate at University of Houston with a Bachelor in Geology with a minor in Geophysics. Currently, I am obtaining my GIS certificate and pursuing a graduate degree in the near future.

I love earth sciences, from paleobiology, to geochemistry, and of course coral reefs. I joined World Federation for Coral Reef Conservation (WFCRC) because there are many issues as a scientist myself and my team can solve using advance geo-tools technology. I also join because of my extensive background in non-profit organization and the ability to reach the mass and hopefully shed light to environmental awareness and what the public can do to help. With these skills, I believe my team and I can make a remarkable difference 

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