Experts

Dr. Peter Kareiva joined the Aquarium of Pacific in August 2020. He holds a B.A. in zoology, M.S. in environmental biology, and Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology. He is committed to science that engages the public and believes that connecting to nature is the one thing that can overcome the deep political and social divides that plague the nation today.

Nate Jaros is the Aquarium’s senior curator of fishes and invertebrates and leads a team of aquarists who care for all of the fish and invertebrate animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Brett Long is the senior director of birds and mammals at the Aquarium of the Pacific, responsible for the staff who provides care and husbandry of the animals.

Dr. Lance Adams’ areas of expertise include veterinary care in the zoo and aquarium industry and rehabilitation of various animals, including rescued endangered sea turtles.

Jennie Dean is serving as the Aquarium’s inaugural vice president of education and conservation. In this role she will amplify and enhance the Aquarium’s work in species conservation and learning for all audiences.

Fahria Qader is the director of architecture and is responsible for project management of numerous exhibits, construction, and sustainability projects at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Emily Yam’s key areas of expertise include climate resilience, oceanography, marine science, and data-driven interpretation.

Marilyn Padilla regularly serves as a spokesperson on Aquarium programs and animals for Spanish-language media outlets, including on international, national, and local programs.

Rob Mortensen’s areas of expertise include marine biology, ocean conservation, horticulture, penguins, sea otters, seals, sea lions, Southern California terrestrial reptiles and birds, and the critically endangered Guam Kingfisher.

Alie LeBeau is the director of the Aquarium’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Pathway Initiatives, which is a program that seeks to achieve the vision of “STEM for All.”

Johnathan Casey is the curator of fish and invertebrates who manages the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon and the Southern California Gallery.

Megan Smylie is the Aquarium of the Pacific’s sea otter program manager, overseeing both the sea otter habitat and the Aquarium’s partnership in Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Surrogacy Program.

Staci Wong is the interpretation manager at the Aquarium of the Pacific. She manages guest experiences at the Aquarium that are facilitated by the education department, including volunteers.

Cassandra Davis is the manager of volunteer programs at the Aquarium of the Pacific. She works directly with volunteers, scientists, and communities to connect them with ocean science.

Aaron Hovis is the Aquarium’s manager of quarantine and acquisition, with particular expertise in Southern California fish and invertebrates.

Erin Lundy is the conservation coordinator of birds and mammals at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Alex Bohardt is a senior aquarist focusing on the Aquarium’s tropical Pacific species, including coral reef species and habitats.

Jenifer Burney is a senior aquarist who leads the Aquarium of the Pacific’s cold-water fish and invertebrate culturing program.

Rachel Munson is the aquarist in charge of Shark Lagoon at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Lauren Samarov is a senior aquarist in the Aquarium’s Southern California Gallery. She specializes in the care and conservation of endangered white abalone.

J.J. Soski is a senior aquarist in the Aquarium’s Northern Pacific Gallery and is the lead for the Aquarium’s bull kelp genetic preservation project.

Josh Wagner is a senior aquarist who specializes in sea jelly culture and care.

Alicia Archer is the education programs manager at the Aquarium of the Pacific and oversees school, teacher, family, and youth programs.

Callum Watson is the youth and family volunteer coordinator at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Among the signature programs of his portfolio are the Teen Science Café and Teen Climate Council.

Sara Lesser is an education coordinator who manages the Aquarium’s virtual education programming, including virtual field trips and the Online Academy (free online classes).

Jennifer Runyan is an education supervisor with expertise in plankton, harmful algal blooms, and bioluminescence.

Cristina Hernández is a youth volunteer coordinator who works directly with teens to enhance communication and work skills through ocean conservation and as a spokesperson for news interviews, including in Spanish.