The Project Terrapin Team
2024 Summer Research Staff
Project Terrapin supports habitat enhancement throughout the Barnegat Bay watershed. We reach over 6000 people annually. We work with multiple partners including Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, the Terrapin Nesting Project, Stafford Township, Long Beach Township and New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife.
Dr. John Wnek
Research Coordinator
John has worked with terrapins at Island Beach State Park, N. Sedge Island and Cedar Run Dock Road since 2002. He is winding down his career as science supervisor at the MATES School in Manahawkin, and directs terrapin research and the Save Barnegat Bay Student Grant Program. John is working on diamondback terrapin conservation projects as well as mentoring undergraduate and graduate students on various projects related to terrapins, habitats, Climate Change and natural resources at Barnegat Bay, NJ.
Ms. Michele Budd
Holgate Research Coordinator
Michele has been working with diamondback terrapins in conjunction with the Terrapin Nesting Project at LBI and in collaboration with Project Terrapin. She conducts terrapin research in the Holgate section of Beach Haven as coordinator of the Rosema nesting initiative. Michele is a research advisor for the Mordecai Island Land Trust where she conducts wildlife surveys for shore birds and nesting terrapins. Michele is also coordinating research at the Clam Cove Reserve and assessing terrapin nesting at the sand Washover Site in Holgate as part of the reserve.
Ms. Kayla Sullivan
Research Assistant
Kayla is a senior at Stockton University pursuing her bachelor's degree in Marine Science. She’s an accomplished student-athlete with a passion for the environment, and more specifically marine life. Kayla’s passion stemmed from a life-long love for animals. This interest translated smoothly into an associate's degree in Environment Science from Raritan Valley Community College. Kayla is now focusing on a water quality project for Save Barnegat Bay and is excited to continue learning about everything the field of marine science has to offer.
Ms. Hope Brehm
Research Assistant
Hope is a sophomore at Stockton University, NJ studying marine science, with a focus in marine biology. As well as being a full time student, Hope is also co-captain of the IHSA equestrian team at Stockton. Hope has lived on the Jersey Shore her whole life and loves being outdoors! Hope is a recipient of a Save Barnegat Bay Student Grant focusing on water quality at Jeffrey's Creek, and, of course, assisting with diamondback terrapin research!
Ms. Nora Morton
Research Intern
Nora is a rising senior at Horace Greeley High School. She is currently in the middle of her research project in anticipation of her senior-year competitions. Nora is involved with the New Jersey Bay Islands Initiative as a research mentee and volunteer. Nora has presented her previous findings at the New Jersey Coastal & Climate Resilience Conference in addition to her participation in WESEF and her local Tri-County Science fair. Her involvement outside of the lab and academics includes her executive position in the HGHS Forest Preservation Club, Teaching assistant position at her local art center, volunteer educator for the HGHS BIPOC Student Union, and her passion for volleyball and track and field.
Ms. Giana D'Altrui
Research intern
Giana is an International Baccalaureate student at Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, Florida. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a varsity track and soccer athlete and an ambassador for CRAM Peer Tutoring. Giana served as a water quality researcher for the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation following Hurricane Ian. In her free time, she enjoys boating, reading, drone photography and surfing.
Ms. Briana Ecke
Research intern
Briana Ecke is a sophomore at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science in Manahawkin, NJ. She has been a part of Project Terrapin for two years, specializing in the Care Division, and was additionally selected as a Conservation leader. With two years of research experience, she also has knowledge of data collection and analysis. In her free time, she enjoys sculpting, volunteering, playing sports, and taking nature walks. As an avid supporter of marine life, she plans to pursue college programs in environmental science and research. Briana is ecstatic to be a part of the team!
Ms. Rhea Dudhwala
Research intern
Rhea has been an active Project Terrapin Conservation branch member in her Freshman year at MATES and volunteers at many events. She is also involved in many MATES clubs and is a student researcher studying terrapin hatchlings.
Ms. Arushi Sood
Research intern
Arushi Sood is a freshman at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science in Stafford Township, New Jersey. She is involved in the Project Terrapin Care Division and Hatchlings Division, and she has been active in Project Terrapin for a year. Moreover, she was chosen as a Hatchlings Headstart Assistant in the Hatchlings Division. She has a year of research experience and has learned quite a bit about the process of analyzing and collecting. Some activities she loves to do are playing the piano, volunteering, playing video games, bike riding, and hanging out with friends. She is currently leaning towards the medical field, but she is still discovering what peaks her interest. Arushi is happy to be a part of this wonderful team!
Ms. Mae Skrba
Sedge research Coordinator
Mae is a program and internship coordinator with NJ Fish and Wildlife at North Sedge Island. She is an instructor with the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) and a graduate of UNC Wilmington and earned a Masters at Stonybrook University. Mae serves as research coordinator at N. Sedge Island, which will focus on terrapin nest site assessments and mark and recapture of terrapins with the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone. Mae supervises and coordinates undergraduate interns throughout the summer months. Mae is a member of the Project Terrapin Steering Committee.
Ms. Jordy Pedrick
Research AssistnanT
Jordy is a rising Junior at the University of Rhode Island majoring in Marine Biology with a concentration in Wildlife and Conservation Biology. While at school, she recently worked on a research project developing a photo ID tracking database of the Southern Stingrays that migrate to the Cayman Islands. Jordy has grown up spending time on Long Beach Island and is excited to branch out to terrapin research this summer. She has a passion for working in marine conservation. Outside her science interests, Jordy loves doing anything outdoors, including hiking, paddle boarding, scuba diving and snowboarding in the winter.
Ms. Mary McKenna
Research Assistant
Mary is a Junior at the University of Rhode Island studying Marine Biology, focusing on conservation science. She is working on an independent project through Save Barnegat Bay, investigating the dietary composition of Diamondback Terrapin in the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone, with a focus on macro and microplastic presence. Mary is passionate about research and outdoor education, and hopes to continue a career involving marine ecology and food web dynamics.
Ms. Elizabeth Rao
Research intern
Lizzy is a junior boarder at Peddie in Hightstown, New Jersey. She is a music fanatic, singing in the school choir, playing piano in the winter musical pit band, and playing classical music in her free time. She’s also a coxswain on the varsity rowing team and an editor for the Peddie News. When she’s not in a practice room or on a boat, Lizzy is probably scrolling through Instagram or reading New York Times articles. She has been in Peddie’s Terrapin Head Start club for two years and will be leading it next year.
Ms. Aarya Sood
Research intern
Aarya Sood is a junior at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science located in Stafford Township, New Jersey. She has participated in Project Terrapin for a year and is specializing in the Hatchlings Division as well as the Care Division. Additionally, she was recently selected as a Conservation Coordinator for the Conservation Division. After two years of research experience, she has been exposed to, and now knows, the process of collecting and analyzing data. A few activities she enjoys are volunteering, playing the piano, swimming, coloring, and taking bike rides. Interested in the path of medical biology, she plans to pursue college and join the field of dentistry. Aarya is pleased to be a part of this collaborating team.
Ms. Lily Nadler
Research intern
Lily Nadler is a junior at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Ocean County, New Jersey. She has been part of project terrapin for two years, working with the Hatchling and Care divisions, and is a leader for Conservation. She has done research for two years in Botany and Environmental Sciences. She enjoys playing field hockey, lacrosse and reading. She loves to volunteer, especially at Beach Plum Festival and Ocean Fun Day at Island Beach State Park. She plans to pursue a career in medicine and hopes to become a doctor in the future. She is so excited to be part of Project Terrapin!
Ms. Isabel Kopsaftis
Research intern
Isabel is an active member in project terrapin and assisted within the conservation branch, and is currently doing independent research on terrapins. Isabel consistently volunteers for events and is an active member of other clubs and sports at MATES and her home school.
Ms. Isabella Sadsad
Research intern
Isabella Sadsad is currently a student at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science. She is an involved member of the Hatchlings, Outreach, and Conservation Divisions of Project Terrapin. Additionally, she will soon be Secretary of the MATES Robotics Team; and is a former courtroom artist on the Mock Trial team. Her hobbies include (but are not limited to) arachnology, playing the violin and ukulele, lifting, and drawing. Isabella is an aspiring lawyer but is also an avid enjoyer of science. Working with terrapins has been a new and exciting experience that she hopes to continue and expand her knowledge on.
Ms. Serena Celestino
Program Coordinator Emeritus
Serena is a Barnegat, NJ native, and loves spending her spare time exploring the wetlands. She is a graduate of Rutgers University double majoring in Ecology & Evolution and Geology. She has published in paleoecology for research on a Jurassic aged clam bed. She worked with the Nature Conservancy and American Littoral Society. Serena continues working with us on special projects that tie science, art and better understanding together to promote our terrapin conservation initiatives.
Volunteers Extrodinaire
