Allison

Marine & Ocean Science Physiological ecology, marine CDR, benthic ecology, coastal and ocean ecosystems, deep-ocean systems

Carbon Removal & Climate TechnologyMarine CDR, ocean-based carbon removal, carbon accounting and verification, MRV framework development, Marine Anoxic Carbon Storage (MACS)

Environmental Consulting & PermittingEnvironmental impact assessment, federal permitting (EPA, MPRSA, NEPA, CZMA, ESA, MSA), regulatory strategy

Ocean & Environmental PolicyCongressional policy development, ocean policy

Nonprofit & NGOEnvironmental advocacy, science communication, policy consulting (NRDC, NWF)

Federal GovernmentLegislative advisory, bipartisan consensus-building, interagency coordination (U.S. Senate Commerce Committee)

Management ConsultingFederal agency strategy, organizational development, cross-functional program management 

Aquaculture & Blue EconomyOyster farming, small business operations, seafood industry

Academic ResearchPeer-reviewed publishing, competitive grant writing, lab management, mentorship

• Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) — science, operations, and strategy
• Federal environmental permitting — EPA, BOEM, MPRSA, NEPA, CZMA, ESA
• Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) framework design
• Regulatory strategy for emerging and ambiguous frameworks
• ESG stakeholder communication and standards alignment
• Ocean and environmental policy development
• Offshore energy — wind, oil & gas, and CDR
• Organizational strategy and program development
• Science-policy translation and stakeholder engagement
• Carbon accounting and crediting standards
• Competitive grant writing and research program management
• Cross-sector collaboration — government, academia, NGO, private sector

Ocean Operations Manager, Carboniferous, Inc., Remote, 10/2023 – Present

·       Lead all aspects of offshore research operations including planning, logistics, permitting, budgeting, and coordination of science and technical teams; managed two successful Gulf of Mexico research cruises yielding critical environmental baseline data and the first in situ field test of Marine Anoxic Carbon Storage in deep anoxic brines

·       Lead marine permitting and scaling strategy, external consultations, and government relations under EPA, MPRSA, NEPA, CZMA, ESA, and MSA frameworks; Carboniferous became the first private company to receive an EPA research permit for mCDR under MPRSA, setting the standard for all mCDR projects in U.S. waters

·       Collaborate across academia, carbon crediting organizations, regulators, and NGOs to develop carbon accounting and environmental monitoring methods; led community engagement reaching 80+ individuals and groups including journalists, scientists, seafood industry associations, state and local governments, environmental NGOs, and tribal communities

Consultant, Natural Resources Defense Council, Remote, 6/2021 – 10/2023

●      Perform research into scientific, political, and technical topics to inform strategy development on issues related to Climate, Ocean, and the Outer Continental Shelf

●      Focus areas include vehicle electrification, carbon capture and storage, offshore wind development, offshore oil and gas leasing, coastal ecosystem services valuation, and Congressional activity tracking.

• Communicate findings to leadership team through presentations and written reports, reviews, and memos

Consultant, National Wildlife Federation, Remote, 6/2023 – 7/2023

·       Served as subject matter expert on offshore wind development and impacts to marine mammals, sea turtles, and benthic communities

·       Reviewed Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Draft Environmental Impact Statement, including scientific data presented, proposed monitoring and mitigation measures, and recommended alternatives, provided recommendations and assisted with drafting official response

Founder and CEO, True North Oyster Co, Beaufort, NC, 10/2020 – 7/2023

●      Established foundational processes for business operations for oyster farm producing 50,000 oysters per year

●      Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs

●      Monitored market conditions to set accurate product pricing and take advantage of emerging trends

●      Organized and attended trade shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses and attract new customers.

Senior Consultant, Thrivner, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, 3/2020 – 9/2020

●      Led team of scientific experts in an external working group to advise Federal agency on climate activities and capabilities through official reports and letters

●      Generated and implemented organizational strategies for Federal science agency client, both in day-to-day operations and sustained active management

●      Co-created strategies and outcomes with senior agency officials while navigating complex internal dynamics

●      Developed and implemented programs for multiple teams, often by bridging teams across the agency

John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Washington, DC, 2/2019 – 2/2020

●      Provided science-driven policy positions and recommendations on legislation and oversight, served as an advisor on policies, laws, and regulations relevant to the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction

●      Engaged scientific experts in the policy development process 

●      Provided technical assistance to resolve program and project-specific issues

●      Built consensus on complex policy issues through establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with bipartisan and bicameral Congressional staff, Executive branch leadership, scientists, and other outside stakeholder groups

●      Worked with Federal, State, and other organizations to resolve complex environmental policy issues

●      Contributed to policy development and implementation that required a thorough understanding of major environmental laws and the environmental standards, methods, and practices codified within them

●      Reviewed and analyzed environmental documents

Research Assistant and PhD Candidate, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 1/2013 – 12/2018

●      Designed and implemented interdisciplinary, original research projects with a focus in theoretical questions in physiological ecology

●      Published five manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals

●      Secured over $224,000 through competitive grant proposal submissions

●      Managed laboratory experiments, writing manuscripts and grant proposals, teaching, and mentoring obligations

●      Trained and managed 20+ undergraduates, graduate students, and outside users on analytical equipment, experimental methods, and independent projects