Meet the Team
Each member of our organization has a unique contribution. Our board members are involved and willing to serve, we couldn't be what we are today without them and our supporters. Thank you!
Our board members include: Ashley B.Chelberg (Miller)- President & Executive Director, Elizabeth Viau- Vice President and Chief Research Advisor, Melissa M. Meisenburg- Research and education outreach lead, Yagen Gutierrez-Secretary & Researcher, Janelle Grange- Treasurer, Nichole Perna- Research Committee, Kaitlin de'Aeth- Research Scientist, Research Committee. Taylor Williams-Education Intern from FIT.
Our board members include: Ashley B.Chelberg (Miller)- President & Executive Director, Elizabeth Viau- Vice President and Chief Research Advisor, Melissa M. Meisenburg- Research and education outreach lead, Yagen Gutierrez-Secretary & Researcher, Janelle Grange- Treasurer, Nichole Perna- Research Committee, Kaitlin de'Aeth- Research Scientist, Research Committee. Taylor Williams-Education Intern from FIT.
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Ashley B. Chelberg (Miller)
President, and Executive Director. Hi future scientists! Here is a little bit about myself: I graduated from Nova Southeastern University, home of the Guy Harvey Research Institute in Dania Beach, Florida with a double Master's degree in the fields of Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management. My Master's program was focused on water quality research and genetics, as well as Elasmobranchs. I am a resident of Melbourne Beach, Florida, which is also my hometown. I really enjoy being a mom of 4 tiny humans, surfing, tennis, running, diving, and teaching young people about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems. One of my favorite marine animals is the shark; all species are awesome, but most of all I love the Bullshark. I started Stella Maris Environmental Research in order to share science with all of you! |
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Elizabeth Viau
Vice President and Chief Research Advisor. My name is Liz Viau. I finished up a Masters of Science at the College of Marine Science in Marine Resource Assessment. Before I moved to the Tampa area, I lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where I earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Masters degree in Marine Biology at Nova Southeastern University. I LOVE fishes and have spent most of my time in school learning about how to protect their populations using Artificial Reefs and Marine Protected Areas. At USF, I study artificial reefs using data analysis and ecological modeling. This branch of fisheries science is very important for the conservation of our essential ocean resources. When I am not in school, I love to spend time outside with my two Australian Shepherds, Chloe and Kaia and mostly my newest son. They love to go hiking, paddle boarding, and to the beach with their mom and dad. I am very excited to share my love for science! |
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Melissa M. Meisenburg
Researcher & educational outreach and coordinator lead. Melissa is an exceptional marine biologist and spends a lot of time helping us with all things sea turtles as well as teaching budding scientists in the Science Explorers program. As an educator, Melissa provides young minds with useful and interesting information while having fun! |
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Yagen Gutierrez
Secretary & Researcher. A note from Yagen: I have a Masters in Marine and Coastal Studies from NOVA Southeastern University. I have worked doing rescue/rehabilitation of manatees and sea turtles for over 3 years at Miami Seaquarium and also trained Antarctic Gentoo and King Penguins in Dubai, UAE. I have a huge passion for education and have taught preschool in different states and also for the education department at Miami Seaquarium. I love teaching about conservation and the environment! |
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Janelle Grange
Treasurer Hello Explorers! My name is Janelle Grange, I have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and currently live in Indian Harbour Beach. Before living in Florida, I spent 32 years in Pennsylvania, which led to many different traveling experiences over the years. All of my favorite trips included ocean time via boating, sea kayaking, fishing, or just beach lounging which created the desire for us to move to the coast as a family. Stella Maris has been such an integral part in making Florida feel like home to us and our two young boys and we found out about it through Stella’s Eco Star Explorers events. Through the weekly meet-ups, our boys made friends and we learned about the new environment in which we live. That experience alone was enough to make me want to join the Stella Maris Environmental Research team to help others learn about our local habitat and wildlife. As Treasurer I hope to help create more opportunities for our youth to learn about marine science! |
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Nichole Perna
Research Committee. Nichole holds a graduate degree from the University of Florida and is the assistant land manager for the Endangered Environmental Lands of Brevard County. Some of her hobbies include her family, surfing, native lawn creations and music events. |
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Kaitlin De'Aeth
Research Committee Member. Kaitlin is our "nomad" Research Committee Member from the (far) west coast. Kaitlin received her B.S and M.S in marine biology and coastal zone management from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida. Since graduating, Kaitlin has worked as an aquatic toxicologist researching the effects from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as well as implementing natural resource damage assessment monitoring programs for the State of North Carolina Marine Fisheries Division and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She is currently an Environmental Scientist with NOAA’s Western Regional office in Seattle, working in the Office of Response and Restoration, providing environmental toxicology guidance to Natural Resource Damage Assessments. Her experience includes inventory and database management for special status ecosystem assessment programs and managing interactive models used for environmental restoration site selection. Outside of work, Kaitlin enjoys everything outdoors, including hiking and paddle boarding with her French bulldog. |
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Taylor Williams
2020 Education Intern Taylor is our environmental education Intern from FIT for our Explorations program. She is motivated and loves getting children involved with our environmental ecosystems. |