Staff
Dr. Krista Kamer
Director
415-518-2161
[email protected] |
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Dr. Krista Kamer has led the development of COAST since its inception in 2008, and has served as the program's director since 2011. As the Director she oversees all of COAST's activities with emphasis on implementing programmatic initiatives to serve CSU faculty members and students, increasing student success, developing strategic partnerships and engaging stakeholders, and pursuing extramural funding. Krista joined the CSU in 2003 and initially helped coordinate two large, multi-year, multi-million dollar ocean observing programs in California. Prior to her work with the CSU, she was a project scientist at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Krista has a strong background in marine ecology, field work and experimental design. She earned her PhD in biology from the University of California, Los Angeles and a BA in biology from Connecticut College. Krista lives in Southern California with her husband and son and enjoys hiking and exploring the cultural diversity of Los Angeles. |
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Kimberly Jassowski
Senior Program Analyst
530-919-4830
[email protected]
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 Kimberly Jassowski, who joined COAST in 2019, has a strong background in marine research, conservation, and education. While earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Biology at San Diego State University, she assisted various graduate students at the SDSU Coastal and Marine Institute researching invasive algae species, such as Sargassum Horneri. After graduating, Kimberly served as a Marine Educator and an AAUS Scientific Diver, furthering marine research and restoration project goals for multiple non-profit organizations. During Orange County Coastkeeper’s Living Shorelines Project, Kimberly was part of the dive team that helped restore damaged native eelgrass and oyster habitats in Newport Bay. She also performed numerous underwater surveys, tracking the health of California’s rocky reefs during her work with California Reefcheck and LA Waterkeeper. Since joining COAST, Kimberly became a part-time graduate student in CSU Monterey Bay's Environmental Science Professional Master's program. Kimberly can often be found scuba diving at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or taking her dog Luna on hikes with her fiancé during her free time.
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Adam Paganini
Adam Paganini was appointed to serve as COAST's Student Success Specialist in 2023. In this role he directs COAST's summer internship opportunities and plans to develop student talent and excellence through cohort-building and professional development. Adam is simultaneously the Director of Student Success for the California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Ocean Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Adam received both his BS in Biology (2008) and a Master of Science in Marine Biology (2013) from San Francisco State University where he worked alongside his mentor Dr. Jonathan Stillman. Adam garnered attention in the Stillman Lab with his research demonstrating the metabolic tradeoffs intertidal crabs make when exposed to future ocean warming and ocean acidification conditions. Adam then worked with the Estuary & Ocean Science (EOS) Center’s former Executive Director, Dr. Karina Nielsen, NOAA, and CeNCOOS to deploy a novel CO2-monitoring buoy into the SF Estuary that provided real-time carbonate chemistry and acidification monitoring. Most recently, he concluded a 7-year NSF grant to build a new MS degree pathway at SF State called RIPTIDES, where he promoted student success in marine science training through cohort-strengthening and dedicated advising. Adam lives in Monterey Bay with his wife and enjoys wrestling with their dog, Frida, as well as playing guitar and singing in the latino punk-rock group
La Plebe.
Michelle Robbins
Michelle Robbins joined the COAST team as the Science Policy Specialist in August 2024. While earning her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Systems from UC San Diego, she assisted in research on the first assessment of the sex ratio for green sea turtles in the San Diego Bay analyzing testosterone levels in plasma. After graduating, Michelle worked as the laboratory manager in the Marine Wildlife Endocrinology Laboratory at NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center. Under Dr. Nick Kellar, she assisted in research determining hormone levels in marine mammal blubber and how they were affected by anthropogenic and environmental stressors, such as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. In 2017, Michelle went back to school to obtain her Master of Science in Climate Change and Environmental Policy from the University of Leeds. In tandem to her degree program, she interned at the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, studying the effects of shipping traffic on the distribution patterns of bottlenose and short-beaked common dolphins in the eastern Aegean Sea. Michelle has worked as an Environmental Scientist for the California Environmental Protection Agency in both the Department of Pesticide Regulation, reviewing ecotoxicology data for chemical products, and the State Water Resources Control Board, developing statewide water quality control plans and policies. Michelle lives in Sacramento with her golden retriever, Hamilton. In her spare time, she can be found swimming with the local masters team, taking Hamilton on hikes, reading, line/western swing dancing, or eating all of the Trader Joe’s snacks.
Abraham Avila Jr.
Program Analyst
213-215-6742
Abraham Avila Jr. joined the COAST team in July 2024. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems from California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), where he graduated in 2022. Additionally, Abraham earned three Associate’s degrees from Los Angeles Valley College. Abraham began his career in higher education as a Student Assistant for the Diamond Key program at the CSUMB College of Business. Following his graduation, he served as an Administrative Advising Analyst at the Center for Advising, Career, and Student Success at CSUMB. His extensive experience in the educational sector is informed by his own journey, which involved over eight years of persistence to complete his community college education. This journey, marked by various challenges and diverse student experiences, fuels his dedication to supporting students at any stage of their academic pursuits. Outside of his professional life, Abraham has a passion for comedy and enjoys seeking out discounts.