Staff
Rob Lee, PhD
Rob is a conservation ecologist with a B.Sc. from University of California, Irvine, and M.Sc. and Ph.D. from University of Oregon who has 25 years of professional experience working in over 40 countries on issues related to coastal, marine, forest ecology; wildlife trade; climate change; collaborative management of protected areas; payment for environmental services; and empowerment of civil society organizations and communities. He has worked as a senior scientist and executive for National Geographic, Wildlife Conservation Society, and UNESCO as well serving as a faculty member at academic institutions and board member on non-profit organizations. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, hiking, diving and cooking. He is based in Laguna Niguel, CA.
Email – rlee@lagunaoceanfoundation.org
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Alayna joined the Laguna Ocean Foundation in September of 2023 after working as a fisheries outreach biologist for the state of Louisiana for the past 10 years. She focused on providing aquatic education to the public, creating stewards of the environment, and managing aquatic volunteers. Alayna is originally from the east coast of Maryland and received her B.S. in wildlife conservation from the University of Delaware. She is excited to explore the west coast now and have the opportunity to engage with the local community as she helps to share her passion for the outdoors.
Email – alayna@lagunaoceanfoundation.org
Alayna Ader
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP MANAGER
Carissa Rice
EDUCATION FIELD COORDINATOR
Carissa is an experienced high school science teacher with 17 years in the classroom. Education is at the heart of everything she does and Carissa would describe herself as a lifelong learner. She was raised in Orange County and temporarily relocated to obtain her B.S. and M.S from Oregon State University in Marine Biology, emphasis on Phycology, and Chemistry minor. Carissa also holds teaching certificates in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Health. When she is not asking questions or sharing science information, Carissa enjoys traveling with her partner, SCUBA diving locally and abroad, and listening to audiobooks of all topics while cuddling her corgis. She is looking forward to strengthening the partnerships LOF has and building new ones. She loves providing lessons for students and the community to help further ocean stewardship and appreciation of our great natural resources.
Jessica joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in June of 2021 as a Tidepool Educator and has since become the Educator Trainer. Jessica grew up in Michigan, visiting family in Southern California where her love for the ocean began. She studied biology at Grand Valley State University and is in a gap period before attending grad school for marine biology and shark research. Jessica loves working in our ocean ecosystem and teaching others about the wonders of the intertidal zone and Marine Protected Area.
Jessica Clark
BIOLOGIST TRAINER
Gretchen joined the Laguna Ocean Foundation as a Tidewater Docent in October 2016, and accepted a promotion to Docent Trainer in 2021. Gretchen is a retired elementary school teacher who has actively been educating children and adults about the environment and sustainable living since the 1970s. Her love of the ocean ecosystem led her to begin volunteering for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach in 2015 and then for LOF in 2016.
VOLUNTEER TRAINER
Gretchen McKay
Our team of Biologists have all received an undergraduate or graduate degree in Marine Biology or related field. They use their education and training to educate visitors to the tidepools about tidepool ecology, coastal ecosystems, the importance of Marine Protected Areas, and can help point out different species found at the tidepools. Make sure to stop by to say hello when you visit the tidepools!
BIOLOGISTS
