Meet Our Staff

Rob Lee, PhD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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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.

Alayna Ader

EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP MANAGER

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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 loves exploring the west coast now and engaging with the local community as she helps to share her passion for the outdoors.

Carissa Rice

EDUCATION FIELD COORDINATOR
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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 Clark

BIOLOGIST TRAINER

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Jessica joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in June of 2021 as a Tidepool Biologist and has since become the Biologist 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 now getting her masters degree at CSU Fullerton. Jessica loves working in our ocean ecosystem and teaching others about the wonders of the intertidal zone and Marine Protected Area.

Gretchen McKay

VOLUNTEER TRAINER
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Gretchen joined the Laguna Ocean Foundation as a Tidewater Docent in October 2016, and accepted a promotion to Volunteer 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.

Amanda Mertens

FULL TIME BIOLOGIST AT TREASURE ISLAND

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Amanda is originally from Minnesota and holds a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Science from Luther College in Iowa. After working in marine science roles across the U.S., she moved to California three years ago to be closer to the coast.

She joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in May 2025 and is excited to apply her experience to support and protect our local marine ecosystems. Her favorite tidepool organisms are nudibranchs, which she loves for their incredible diversity and color. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys freediving in the Laguna Beach kelp forests.

McKenna Farrell

FULL TIME BIOLOGIST AT HEISLER PARK
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McKenna is from Sacramento, California, and earned her B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.

She joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in October 2025 and is excited to connect with tidepool visitors, volunteers, and staff who share her love of the ocean. Her favorite tidepool organism is the sea urchin, and she spent a year researching their eating habits in correlation with invasive algae. Outside of work, McKenna loves traveling and hopes to explore the world’s oceans one day.

Evelyn Brown

BIOLOGIST
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Evelyn is a lifelong Orange County resident with degrees in Biological Anthropology and Environmental Science from Cal State Fullerton. She has spent the past 20 years working in conservation and environmental education, and also volunteers with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy and the American Cetacean Society.

She joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in March 2023, seeking a role that allows her to be in nature, educate others, and stay present for her two kids. Her favorite tidepool organisms are snails and slugs, especially unusual species like the California Chromodorid Nudibranch and the Yellow Umbrella Slug.

Outside of work, Evelyn enjoys adventures with her family—this past summer, she even watched 1,200-foot lava fountains erupt at Kilauea with her kids.

Christopher Bui

BIOLOGIST

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Christopher grew up in Orange, CA, not far from Laguna Beach. He holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from CSU Fullerton and an M.S. in Biology from CSU Los Angeles. Encouraged by mentors during his studies and driven by a long-standing passion for marine science, he joined Laguna Ocean Foundation about three years ago—though he jokes he’s spent so much time on the rocks he may have lost count.

His favorite tidepool organisms are the two-spotted octopus and the moray eel for their curiosity and personality. Outside of work, Christopher has been brewing his own mead (honey wine) for just over a year.

Chantal Rodriguez

BIOLOGIST
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Chantal is a lifelong South Orange County local who recently fell in love with Laguna Beach after years in Corona del Mar. She graduated from UC San Diego in June with a B.S. in Environmental Systems and a minor in Marine Science.

Chantal first joined LOF as a volunteer docent in July 2024, later becoming an outreach intern for her Senior Internship Project before officially joining the staff in May 2025. Her favorite tidepool organisms are nudibranchs and bubble snails for their unique shapes and colors.

Outside of LOF, Chantal enjoys baking, practices American Sign Language, and has contributed to the Empty Bowl Project—blending art and service to support hunger relief.

Zoë Wong

BIOLOGIST

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Zoë was born and raised in Malaysia and moved to the U.S. 3.5 years ago to pursue higher education, earning her B.S. in Marine Biology from Cal State Long Beach.

She joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in May 2025 and loves sharing her passion for marine organisms with visitors. Her favorite tidepool organisms are ochre sea stars.

Alyssa Boutelle

BIOLOGIST
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Alyssa is a lifelong Southern Californian who grew up exploring local tidepools and beaches. She recently graduated from Chapman University with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Policy, where she researched both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

She joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in June of 2025 and loves learning about local ecology while educating tidepool visitors. Her favorite tidepool organism is the colorful—and rarely seen—Hopkin’s Rose nudibranch. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys crafting and making art.

Patricia Salem

BIOLOGIST
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Patricia is a marine biologist originally from Brazil and holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from James Cook University in Australia. Her background includes extensive work in research and conservation, notably contributing to a Pink river dolphin research project in the Amazon rainforest. She also served as the Head Biologist at the largest marine aquarium in South America, where she led initiatives in education and scientific research.

Patricia joined the Laguna Ocean Foundation a little over a year ago, beginning as a volunteer before becoming a valued member of the Biologist Team. Her favorite tidepool organism is the ochre sea star, a species she loves sharing with visitors.

Outside of her professional work, Patricia enjoys spending time at the beach, where she feels deeply connected to the ocean and its remarkable biodiversity.

Frank Lujan

BIOLOGIST
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Frank is originally from Guam, a small island in the Western Pacific. He earned his B.S. in Biology from the University of Guam and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Environmental Science, using drone imagery and machine learning to study green sea turtles. Growing up on Guam inspired his passion for marine biology and conservation.

He joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in September 2025 and enjoys connecting with the public while sharing knowledge about tidepool organisms. His favorite tidepool organism is the vibrant Christmas tree worm.

Yen Chang

BIOLOGIST
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Yen is from Orange County and studied Marine Biology at CSU Long Beach.

She joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in September 2025 and looks forward to sharing her passion for marine invertebrates with the public while connecting with visitors at the tidepools. Her favorite tidepool organisms are tube snails.

Outside of work, Yen cares for her two cats and three pet chickens.

Paris Ramirez

Community Outreach Coordinator
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Paris holds a B.S. in Environmental Systems and Earth Sciences from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. A lifelong ocean enthusiast, Paris is passionate about surfing, diving, and exploring Laguna’s beaches. She is dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and inspiring the community to care for Laguna Beach’s unique coastal habitats. In her role as Community Outreach Coordinator, Paris looks forward to expanding community involvement with the foundation and strengthening connections between people and the ocean.

Isabela Moro

GIS Technician
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As LOF’s GIS Technician, I bring experience in spatial analysis, environmental research, and data-driven strategy to support our coastal restoration and monitoring programs. I work with raw field data to create maps that reveal meaningful patterns, changes, and connections across our coastline. My passion sits at the intersection of storytelling, science, mapping, environmental protection, and collaboration, and I’m especially excited about using data to meaningfully connect people, places, and solutions. At LOF, I look forward to strengthening our data systems, supporting field teams, and creating geospatial tools that help our community understand and protect Laguna’s unique coastal ecosystems.

Deena Harros

Administrator
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Deena joined Laguna Ocean Foundation in February 2024, where she oversees Operations, Human Resources, Accounting and Financial Reporting. She brings over twenty years of experience working with nonprofit organizations in the Laguna Beach area, with a strong background supporting both environmental and arts-focused institutions.

Prior to joining Laguna Ocean Foundation, Deena served as Communications Manager at Crystal Cove Conservancy and Operations Manager at Laguna Dance Festival. She has also held leadership roles with other local environmental and arts organizations, where she contributed across organizational operations, development, communications, and administrative
Management.

Deena’s career reflects a long-standing commitment to mission-driven work and the Laguna Beach community, combining practical leadership with deep local nonprofit expertise.

Conner Pettit

Development Officer
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Conner studied Ecology at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Pennsylvania before spending four years researching fertilizer-runoff pollution in freshwater lakes through Colorado State’s Chemistry Lab. His work earned the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and selection as a Discovery Education Top Ten Finalist. After completing his academic work, Conner shifted into nonprofit development, specializing in grant writing and fundraising for arts, environmental, and education organizations. Having grown up exploring coastal ecosystems and collecting seashells in North Carolina, he is excited to bring his scientific perspective and nonprofit experience to a team committed to protecting California’s coastline.