Rhode Island Faculty

Lauren Watka is a recent Brown graduate, having received her Master's in Environmental Studies in May 2012. She has a strong background in natural science and has conducted research at Brown University, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Dartmouth College in subjects from micro- and molecular biology to ecology (her favorite). Lauren delights in talking to people about ocean science and conservation and especially loves bringing in her experience working with NOAA as a scientist on New Bedford commercial fishing boats. Lauren hails from Cape Cod but is happily setting down roots in Providence, RI where she supports local food movements, bikes as a means of transportation, and volunteers with her church at a local elementary school.

Eric LeFlore is a M.S./Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After studying abroad in Tanzania and working as a student intern in South Africa, he knew he wanted to continue studying carnivores in graduate school. His current research project at UMass focuses on bobcat ecology in the Pioneer Valley, MA. In 2011, Eric graduated with honors from Connecticut College with a degree in Environmental Studies as well as a minor in Music. This will be Eric's second year teaching at the BELL program but his seventh being involved with the Leadership Institute, as he has moved through the BELL ranks from student to leader fellow to instructor. Eric is thrilled to be heading back to Haffenreffer for another wonderful summer on the Bay. A native New Englander, Eric loves exploring new places, hiking, camping and sharing time with good friends.

Jayce G is a science teacher at Arlington High School in Arlington, MA, where he teaches Astronomy and Oceanography to seniors and Physical Science to freshman. Prior to this, he worked at Project Oceanology in Groton, CT, leading marine science programs about the estuary of Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River Watershed, and human impacts on the two. Jayce holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from Eckerd College. While at Eckerd, Jayce had the opportunity to assist Dr. William Szelistowski with his research on the sexual reproduction habits of Pipefish. He also worked with Dr. Ashanti Johnson and Dr. Warner Ithier on the effects of clay mineralogy on the retention and mobility of radionuclides in locations around Puerto Rico. Jayce currently lives in his home town of Boston and spends his free time playing music or watching any Boston sports team. As a member of the 2004 BELL Hawai'i group, Jayce is eager to once again be part of an outstanding program.

Christina Catanese is a Physical Scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mid Atlantic Region. Her work in water protection focuses on data analysis and management, GIS mapping and tools, and communications related to permits, enforcement, drinking water, and other EPA programs. Christina holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Political Science, and an M.S. in Applied Geosciences with a Hydrogeology concentration from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research and experience has taken her to such diverse locales as Puerto Rico, Cameroon, Sweden, and Northeast Philadelphia on topics from tropical montane stream ecology, to drinking water supply in the developing world, to storm water management and combined sewer overflows. A native Pittsburgher, she now lives in Philadelphia, where she also performs, choreographs, and teaches ballet, modern dance, and yoga. Christina is thrilled to be back at BELL after being a student in the very first session of the program in 2002 and serving as staff in 2006.

Kenji O'Brien is a high school biology teacher at a public charter school in San Jose, CA. This will be his third summer working at BELL and he is eager to be back out in little Rhodey! Kenji graduated from Brown University in 2009 with a Sc.B. in Human Biology and wrote a thesis on environmental education titled: "Engaging E-Waster: Connecting Urban Youth and the Environment." After graduating, Kenji worked for 7 months teaching English in a small rural community in Chile. Following his time in South America, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Education from Stanford University in 2011. Born and raised in Nor Cal, in his free time Kenji enjoys biking, backpacking, cooking, playing board games, and traveling.