This month’s #staffprofile is on program coordinator Kate Harrison. Kate supports our priority issue Water Resources team in developing/implementing projects. She is our newest employee, starting with us Jan. 16, 2023. Scroll through our photos to learn more about Kate.

For starters

Kate lived in 7 different states including CA, MA, NY, SC, HI, NC, FL before settling in Alabama, where she currently runs a farm and weekend-only country store with her husband. She has a bachelors in biology from Union College NY, a masters in marine biology from the College of Charleston, and a doctorate of education in organizational leadership from Argosy University in Florida. She previously worked for Mote Marine Laboratory, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences.

What she loves about GOMA

The BEST TEAM I have ever worked with! And they fund projects that align with my research ideals (citizen science, continuations/expansions of legacy data, climate change research, and human health research.)

What she loves most about the Gulf of Mexico?

The diversity of species compared to other marine bodies of water, taking into consideration of the size difference.

Proudest moments

The top management of GOMA has put together an amazing team with expertise in niches for nearly every Gulf of Mexico issue. And we all not only work well together and respect each other, but can have fun together as well! I’m excited to be filling a niche in the GOMA staff team.

GOMA’s future

More large budget grants.