Our Team

Contact Us

Email: info@innerspacecenter.org

Staff

Dr. Dwight ColemanDirector

As the Director of the Inner Space Center, Dwight is responsible for managing the daily activities that support telepresence-enabled exploration and education projects. When he’s not at the ISC, Dwight can be found at sea, where he’s been a part of more than 35 ship expeditions that employ remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and telepresence systems. He works closely with the Ocean Exploration Trust Nautilus Program and NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration, two of the ISC’s partners.  As a geological oceanographer, Dwight specializes in marine geology and geophysics, focused on deep sea mapping and ROV exploration of a large variety of seafloor environments. He was previously with the U.S. Geological Survey in Woods Hole, MA, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, RI, and the Institute for Exploration in Mystic, CT. What is Dwight’s favorite part of ocean exploration? He loves the thrill of discovery!

Gail ScowcroftAssociate Director

In addition to serving as the ISC’s Associate Director, Gail is the Executive Director of the Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE), an international network of ocean scientists, education professionals, business leaders, and policymakers. She is also Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of the NSF-funded Alliance Office for the Climate Change Education Partnership (CCEP), a network of U.S. climate change education programs. Gail is the PI for the Marine Technology for Teachers and Students program (MaTTS), which engages teams of Southern New England high school teachers and students with cutting edge research and communications technology. She is currently serving a four-year term on the U.S. Ocean Research Advisory Panel, the federal advisory committee established to provide independent advice and guidance to the Cabinet of the President of the U.S. For the first 18 years of her career, Gail conducted ocean science research focused on climate reconstruction and global climate change. For the last 20 years, she has directed ocean and climate science education programs. Gail is an international leader in ocean science education, lecturing across the globe on ocean science and climate change issues.

Christopher KnowltonAssistant Director

Chris works on a variety of ocean science education initiatives and assists with ISC science operations. The projects he works on include Discovery of Sound in the Sea (www.dosits.org) and Marine Technology for Teachers and Students (mattsproject.org). Chris can be found delivering educational programs, in person or through virtual interactions. He also flies with the forecasters from the National Hurricane Center during the annual Hurricane Awareness Tour and helps educate students and the public about hurricane science and preparation. Chris has a Master’s degree in geological oceanography and has been conducting marine research and education activities for the past 20 years. What is Chris’s favorite part of ocean exploration? All the stuff that comes out of the seafloor: lava, hot water, methane, and of course mud from mud volcanoes!

Holly MorinManager, Education and Outreach

Holly is a Marine Biologist and has been with the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography since 2008. She works on a variety of ocean science education initiatives for the ISC, including the comprehensive, educational website on underwater acoustics, Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS; dosits.org), and the Northwest Passage Project (www.northwestpassageproject.org). Holly also coordinates and leads the ISC’s Ocean Science Exploration Camp, and develops and delivers in-house education programs, virtual interactions, and tours. Holly has been conducting marine research and education activities for the last 20 years. She has a Master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, with a background in marine mammal science. Prior to joining the ISC, Holly was working on large whale conservation issues with the National Marine Fisheries Service. What is Holly’s favorite part of ocean exploration? All the cool critters of course! And their amazing adaptations to the extreme environments in which they live.

Derek SutcliffeAssociate Marine Development Engineer

Derek graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Since 2009, he’s been working for the ISC in several fields. Described as the “mastermind” behind ISC’s streaming technologies, Derek redesigned the entire shoreside telepresence workflow for NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. With the ISC, NOAA enjoys faster, and more reliable live streaming to scientists and the world. When all of the research vessel streams are running smoothly, Derek is also involved in other ISC projects, handling most of the data archival, web design, IT administration, print design, and branding. What is Derek’s favorite part of ocean exploration? The live video streams! Watch live on our site!

Alex DeCiccioSpecialist, Media and Production

Alex DeCiccio is a Rhode Island based photographer. At the Inner Space Center, Alex works to produce visually compelling and engaging stories about science and exploration. With a degree in Film/Media studies from the University of Rhode Island, he applies his documentary training to translate the effort of scientists and researchers to audiences outside, and within, the scientific community. He can also be found directing our live content from our production facility inside the Inner Space Center and sometimes from the research ships at sea. What is Alex’s favorite part of ocean exploration? Telling stories about science!

 

 

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