Dr.
Arthur "Artie" Kopelman is a population ecologist whose
research interests, since 1987 include the population
dynamics and feeding ecology of fin and humpback whales of
New York and New England. He received his Ph.D. in Biology
in 1982 from The Graduate School and University Center of
CUNY. Dr. Kopelman is a Full Professor of Science in the
Department of Science and Mathematics at SUNY's Fashion
Institute of Technology (1981-present) and an Adjunct
Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Marine
Sciences at Dowling College (2004-present). Dr. Kopelman,
one of the co-founders of CRESLI, is also its president and
web master.
John
T. Tanacredi, Ph. D.
Vice President
Dr. John
T. Tanacredi is the Chairman of the Earth and Marine Science
Department and Full Professor at Dowling College (2001 to
present) and holds research associate positions with the
Department of Invertebrate Zoology (American Museum of
Natural History), LaMont-Doherty Earth Observatory (Columbia
University), and Osborn Laboratories (NY Aquarium). He
retired from a research Supervisory Ecologist position with
the National Park Service (1980-2001). Dr. Tanacredi’s
research interests and expertise lie in coastal/estuarine
ecology, ecotoxicology and conservation biology. He was a
US Navy Meteorologist (Hurricane Hunter) in Florida
(1968-1970) and has published 4 books and over 50 scientific
research papers. Dr. Tanacredi joined the CRESLI board in
2001.
Dianne
Taggart
Secretary
Dianne
is a Suffolk County employee. She is an avid bird watcher
and webmaster to an extensive bird website (www.libirds.com).
In the past she worked as a Red Cross Disaster instructor
and Volunteer Coordinator for Okeanos Ocean Research
Foundation. She has been actively involved with Long Island
marine environmental and conservation issues for over 15
years and, along with being a co-founder of CRESLI, is the
secretary.
Amanda L Johnson, M.S. Ed.
Treasurer
Amanda
is an elementary teacher on Long Island. She received her
Masters in Special Education from Bank Street College of
Education in NYC in 1996. She has been actively involved,
through volunteer work, in Long Island marine mammals since
1988. Amanda, the treasurer of CRESLI, is also one of its
co-founders and develops the education outreach programs and
maintains the membership.
Monique Dussault
Monique
is a 4th generation Sayville resident and local community
activist. She received her BA from SUNY Stony Brook in 1983
and is currently pursuing a second degree as a Registered
Nurse. Ms. Dussault served 6 years with New York State
Marine Mammals and Sea Turtle Stranding Program (1990-1996),
is actively involved with marine environmental and
conservation issues, and is a board member of the Long
Island Mycological Club. She has been a CRESLI volunteer
since 1996 and was elected to join the Board of Directors in
2004.
Robin
Knappe
Robin
has her M.S. in Chemistry and a B.S. in Environmental
Technology. She has been working in the environmental field
since 1979 as either a chemist or in the area of waste
management. She began volunteering her time in the area of
marine mammals, seals and sea turtle research and education
in 1981 and has been on the CRESLI Board since it's
inception in 1996.
Russell Ainbinder
Russell is
an active member of the community, is presently a member of
the Board of directors of the Southampton Town Wildfowl
Association and of the Suffolk County Community College
Alumni Association. He has served as a member of the Board
of Trustees of Suffolk County Community College. Mr.
Ainbinder received his A.A.S. in Information Technology from
Suffolk County Community College, his B.A. in Earth Science
from Dowling College, and is currently perusing a M.S. in
Adolescent Education with a specialization in science. He
currently is a graduate assistant at Dowling College . He is
involved in research that includes projects concerning the
water quality of the Great South Bay and Horseshoe Crab
populations on Long Island.
Christopher Quartuccio
Christopher is a lifetime Sayville resident, with a BS, from Mary Washington College, VA, and
the owner of Blue Island Oyster Farm,
Blue Island Seafood Market. Blue
Island Oyster Farm is on a successful mission to bring oysters back to the Great
South Bay. Blue Island Oyster Farm’s operation takes place on a 100 foot
free-standing dock located on the south side of Captree Island, 300 yards east
of Captree Boat Basin. Blue Island Oyster Farm is the only oyster farm in
the Great South Bay and the only grower on earth of genuine Blue Point oysters.
In addition to growing oysters, Chris has
demonstrated a strong commitment to the community and to raising awareness of
the importance of aquaculture to the Great South Bay. Blue Island has sponsored
two paid internships for local high school students interested in pursuing a
career in marine sciences and will continue this internship program. Blue Island
has also awarded its first annual $1000 scholarship to a local high school
senior for excellence in the subject of marine science. Finally, Blue Island is
an active member of the New York Farm Bureau, East Coast Shellfish Growers
Association, New York Seafood Council, and the Nature Conservancy.
Advisory Board:
Sandra Shumway, Ph.D., D.Sc.
UCONN, Avery Point
Sandra
Shumway received her Ph.D. and D.Sc. from the University of
Wales and has been studying the impacts of environmental
stress, including harmful algal blooms, on shellfish and
aquaculture for almost 30 years. She has authored 125
scientific papers, edited three books and is Editor in Chief
of the Journal of
Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Journal of Shellfish
Research and Harmful Algae. A
strong advocate of education, she has taught at both the
undergraduate and graduate level and is committed to the
development of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries
practices.
John Turner
John has
been Assistant Town Planning Director of the Town of
Brookhaven since 2003 and has served as Director of
Conservation Programs for the Long Island Chapters of The
Nature Conservancy, Legislative Director of the New York
State Legislative Commission on Water Resource Needs of New
York State and Long Island, Chief Aide to State Assembly
member Steve Englebright, and Director of the Division of
Natural Resources in Suffolk County Parks Department. As
well as being an Advisory Board member to CRESLI, he is
co-founder and board member of the Long Island Pine Barrens
Society and serves as board member on Starflower
Experiences, Long Island Chapter of the New York League of
Conservation Voters, Friends of the Massapequa Preserve,
Open Space Council, and the Long Island Chapter of The
Nature Conservancy. John has authored several dozen
environmental and natural history articles, written two
books, and is a contributing editor to the Long Island
Forum. He is also currently an adjunct professor of
Ornithology in the Natural Sciences Department at South
Hampton College and is an interpretive specialist for
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.
Sam
Sadove
Sam has
been Research Director and Proprietor of Puffin Consulting,
Inc. since 1995. He also is an adjunct professor at Suffolk
Community College and Southampton College and an
Environmental Consultant at Trade-Winds Environmental
Restoration, Inc. He was director and founder of the NY
State Marine and Sea Turtle Stranding Program until 1996.
His research has included population, movement, behavioral
studies and distribution of Diamondback Turtles and
Leatherback sea turtle in New York State waters and the
waters of Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica. Sam
has also been involved in fin whale population assessment
throughout the Northwest Atlantic; seal population trends in
the New York Blight; and survivorship and fledgling success
of mixed species heron and sea bird colonies on Long
Island. He has authored and presented his research in
several dozen scientific publications and national and
international meetings. Sam is a co-founder of CRESI and
was the vice president from 2000-2004.
