The Team
Susanna Osinski, Research Associate/Shellfish Technician
Susanna joined the CEED team in 2021 as the Shellfish Field and Extension Technician. She manages RWU’s FerryCliffe Shellfish Farm and Nursery systems. She coordinates field work as well as communicates via extension and outreach work with research partners, local aquaculturists, local government, and our own RWU students. She is currently working on getting her Captain’s License to be Roger Williams’ first female boat captain! Susanna has a B.S. from Cornell University (2020) in Interdisciplinary Studies focused in Biology and Business, as well as a double minor in Marine Biology and Agribusiness Management. She recently finished an ORISE Researcher Fellowship in 2021 with the U.S. EPA in Narragansett, RI. Susanna also has an extensive background in oyster farming from growing up on her family’s oyster farm, Widow’s Hole Oyster Co., in Greenport, Long Island that first sparked her interest in Marine Biology.
Email: sosinski@rwu.edu
Dr. Timothy M. Scott
Dr. Scott joined Roger Williams University in 1996 as an Assistant Professor of Marine Biology. Since 1999 he has served as the Director of CEED and is also the Forrest C. Lattner Professor of Environmental Science. Dr. Scott earned his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Stony Brook University, and spent five years sailing as Chief Scientist with the Sea Education Association of Woods Hole, MA. His past experience includes studies on the genetics and diversity of marine mammals and commercial-scale shellfish aquaculture. Dr. Scott is a member of the Aquaculture Regulatory Working Group of the RI Coastal Resources Management Council and the Professional Advisory Committee of the New York Harbor School. He previously served on the Executive Committee of the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative; was a member of the Bay Trust, a sixteen member commission set up by the RI House of Representatives to assess the economic and environmental development in Narragansett Bay, and was on the Fisheries and Aquaculture Panel of the Governor’s Narragansett Bay and Watershed Planning Commission.
Email: tscott@rwu.edu
Previous Team Members who were critical in developing the Applied Shellfish Farming course in the last 19 years:
Matthew Griffin
Research Associate and Adjunct Professor, Roger Williams University
Matt joined the CEED staff in 2011 with efforts centered on aquaculture extension and research focusing on aquaculture technology and shellfish restoration. Matt holds a B.S. degree in Marine Biology and a M.Sc. degree in Biological and Environmental Science, both from the University of Rhode Island. He is owner of Saltbox Sea Farm, a Rhode Island based aquaculture farm focused on the production of eastern oysters and providing consulting services in habitat restoration, fisheries science, and oceanography. Matt formerly worked as assistant coordinator of the RI DEM/NOAA North Cape Restoration Program and as a Fisheries Specialist with the RI DEM and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. He holds a 100-ton Coast Guard Master’s license. Matt spends most of his time at the university integrating new shellfish culture technology with the local industry and serving as a technical advisor to the regional aquaculture community
Rob Hudson
Shellfish Hatchery Manager and Adjunct Professor, Roger Williams University
Email: appliedshellfishfarming@gmail.com
Rob Hudson holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management (2017), Graduate Certificates in GIS and Remote Sensing as well as Community Planning (2017) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology (2007), all from the University of Rhode Island. Currently he is the Shellfish Hatchery Manager and is responsible for the operation of the CEED Shellfish Hatchery at RWU and continues to serve as a Coastal and Restoration Consultant. He was the Restoration Ecologist for Save The Bay for 12 years. Some of his work includes restoration, monitoring and research with bay scallops, oysters, quahogs and ribbed mussels. Rob has also worked at URI’s Coastal Resource Center (CRC) and RI Sea Grant as a Fisheries and Aquaculture Graduate Research Assistant. Rob was providing technical support to Dale Leavitt’s online ASF course while at CRC. He is a Licensed US Coast Guard Captain, a Certified SCUBA and CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor. Mr. Hudson is an adjunct professor for various Biology and Aquaculture courses and has extensive field research experience.
Dr. Dale Leavitt
Professsor Emeritus of Biology, Roger Williams University
Dr. Leavitt created and had been teaching an Applied Shellfish Farming course in Rhode Island for over two decades. The 15-week program, hosted at Roger Williams University, is a blend of classroom education and hands-on learning and has been instrumental over the years in shaping new aquaculture businesses to be well prepared for the rigors of running a successful and sustainable shellfish farming operation. Dr. Leavitt is known widely for his knowledge and practical, friendly teaching style and he has taught hundreds of individuals the ins and outs of running a shellfish farm. Dr. Leavitt is engaged in numerous research projects throughout the region, from growing kelp to industry partnerships looking at wild quahog densities. To learn more about Dr. Leavitt, read the Providence Journal’s interview with him in March 2015: “Sowing Lessons: RWU professor a guru for aspiring shellfish farmers.”
The Coastal Resources Center (CRC) & Rhode Island Sea Grant, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island.
Email:
Jennifer McCann:
Azure Dee Cygler: azure@crc.uri.edu
CRC is dedicated to advancing coastal management worldwide. In addition to assisting in the development and implementation of coastal management programs in Rhode Island and the United States, the Center is active in countries throughout the world promoting the sustainable use of coastal resources for the benefit of all. Implementing coastal management projects in the field, building capacity through education and training, and sharing lessons learned and information throughout the coastal community are the foundation of CRC’s work. The U.S. team at CRC also serves as Rhode Island Sea Grant’s Extension team. Rhode Island Sea Grant supports research, outreach, and education programs designed to foster vibrant coastal communities and marine environments that are resilient in the face of change. Rhode Island Sea Grant is one of 33 programs in a national network, and includes a legal program located at Roger Williams University School of Law. CRC and RISG have partnered with Dr. Leavitt on a NOAA-funded initiative to enhance and expand the reach of his Applied Shellfish Farming course.
Dave Beutel
Retired: Aquaculture Coordinator, Coastal Resources Management Council
The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) is the state agency charged with the preservation, protection, development and where possible the restoration of coastal areas in the state. As Aquaculture Coordinator, Mr. Beutel was responsible for vetting new aquaculture lease applications, ensuring existing leases are monitored and functioning as permitted, and overseeing all aspects of the public process involved in aquaculture in the state.
Dr. Robert Rheault
Executive Director, East Coast Shellfish Grower’s Association
Dr. Rheault is an aquaculture industry advocate, serving as Executive Director of the East Coast Shellfish Grower’s Association, a group which represents over 1,000 shellfish farmers from Maine to Florida. Dr. Rheault is a pioneer in Rhode Island aquaculture, and was one of the first modern shellfish growers in the state. He is also passionate about ensuring harvesters are using sound growing and harvesting practices to ensure the public health is protected and that the industry continues to thrive. Dr. Rheault has been teaching safe harvesting, storage, and transport techniques for decades and one of the nation’s experts on Vibrio bacteria and its health implications for the shellfish industry. He also earned his PhD in Oceanography at the Graduate School of Oceanography and serves as Adjunct faculty at the University of Rhode Island.