Our Board
Dr. Julia Wester is The Field School Foundation's Executive Director. She received her Msc with Distinction in Biodiversity Conservation and Management from Oxford University, and her PhD from the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy at the University of Miami. She studies the psychology of decision-making about the environment, and the role of social norms and emotion in environmental decisions and policies. She also is a co-founder of Field School, an innovative hands-on marine science education organization. She has previously worked in environmental policy at the state level, and on the creation, development, and evaluation of environmental education and outreach programs. She is an adjunct professor at the Abess Center at the University of Miami, where she teaches environmental policy.
Ta-Shana Taylor is a full-time lecturer at the University of Miami in the Department of Geological Science. She is also an Outdoor Leader for the non-profit Outdoor Afro in South Florida. Previously she was a project coordinator for gender equity educational grants at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science including grants funded by NSF, NIH, and Miami-Dade Public School System. This included projects that trained educators (informal and formal science education) on how to engage girls in STEM, as well as acting as a consultant on exhibit design. She also worked as a program coordinator for COSEE Florida where she hosted monthly science cafés for adults to interact with local scientists and experts in a low-key, fun, and informal atmosphere.
Ta-Shana Taylor has BS in Geology from Northeastern University and a MS in Geosciences from University of Arizona and another MS in Teaching from Pace University. Her graduate research was on the marine mammal taphonomy of the Gulf of California, with special attention made to the remains of an endangered species of harbor porpoise, the vaquita (Phocoena sinus).
Ta-Shana Taylor has BS in Geology from Northeastern University and a MS in Geosciences from University of Arizona and another MS in Teaching from Pace University. Her graduate research was on the marine mammal taphonomy of the Gulf of California, with special attention made to the remains of an endangered species of harbor porpoise, the vaquita (Phocoena sinus).
Karlisa Callwood has over a decade of experience developing and managing science education programming. She has created and overseen the implementation of a variety of science programs (including camps, outreach activities, field trips, college-bound training, field studies, science demos and theater, homeschool, citizen science research projects, and professional development) at organizations like Miami Science Museum, the Deering Estate at Cutler, Breakthrough Miami, and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Her experience includes the management of several programs focused specifically on engaging students from underrepresented and underserved communities in Miami. She has also worked as part of the team responsible for the planning and development of exhibits and related programs for the Living Core aquarium within the newly constructed Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, with a focus on creating engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. She currently serves as the Youth & Family Programs Manager at the Pacific Science Center. Her interests include establishing practices to enhance science education, while providing access to all, and to discovering interesting strategies to better bridge the gaps that exist between scientists, policymakers, and the public through informal science learning.
A native of the USVI, Karlisa graduated from the University of Miami with a B.S. in Marine Science and Biology, an M.S. in Marine Affairs and Policy, and a Ph.D. in Ecosystem Science and Policy, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies of fisheries management, conservation and sustainability.
A native of the USVI, Karlisa graduated from the University of Miami with a B.S. in Marine Science and Biology, an M.S. in Marine Affairs and Policy, and a Ph.D. in Ecosystem Science and Policy, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies of fisheries management, conservation and sustainability.
Andrew Carter is an interdisciplinary environmental scientist, attorney, and educator. He is currently the Research Director at Miami Waterkeepers. He received a law degree from the University of Miami and practiced law in Florida and New York before returning to the University of Miami, where he completed a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy at the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. He also holds an M.A. in Marine Conservation and Policy from Stony Brook University, and a B.A. in Anthropology and Geography from Hunter College.