Matt Lubicky
Position at AIO: Co-Director
I’ve worked at AIO: 22 years
I’m from… Illinois
Right now I live in… New Jersey
My favorite area of study is… Marine Ecology
Matt Lubicky will return for his 22nd summer, but this is his first serving as Co-Director! For the past seven years, he’s been teaching Earth Science, Honors Biology, Oceanography, Robotics, and various other science classes at Moorestown Friends School (MFS) in Moorestown, NJ. Before MFS, he spent seven years working for the Houston ISD Outdoor Education Center in Huntsville, Texas. Matt has a B.S. in Marine & Freshwater Biology and a B.A. in English, both from the University of New Hampshire. He enjoys teaching about the intersection of science and history and how humans interact with the natural world. He has conducted research on the Atlantic Cod stock in the Gulf of Maine and studied at SEA Semester, completing research on phytoplankton in the Pacific. Matt has worked for the AIO Tropical and Florida programs, as well. Matt even attended AIO as a student back in 2002! In his free time, Matt enjoys just about everything outdoors, from ultimate frisbee to photography to bicycling.
Alicia Navarrete
Position at AIO: Co-Director
I’ve worked at AIO: 12 years
I’m from… Rochester, New York
Right now I live in… Moorestown, New Jersey
My favorite area of study is… cultural anthropology
Alicia Navarrete, Co-Director, is back for her 12th summer and brings a wealth of experience in outdoor and experiential education. During the year, she is a Senior Facilitator at the Princeton-Blairstown Center in NJ, where she writes curriculum and leads adventure-based programs for youth from historically marginalized communities. Previously, she spent 8 years at the Houston ISD Outdoor Education Center, where she met fellow AIO faculty Matt, Tim and Kathy! Her experience spans a variety of educational environments, including traditional classrooms in her hometown of Rochester, NY and abroad in Nicaragua, as well as a Montessori school and inclusive summer programs like the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp, where she supported children of all abilities. Alicia holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and lifeguard. She loves to travel and is happiest when she’s out on the trail.
Sheryl Christy Gilmore
Position at AIO: Director of Admissions
I’ve worked at AIO: 42 years… time flies when you’re having fun!
I’m from… Michigan
Right now I live in… Michigan
My favorite area of study is… Everything!
Sheryl Christy Gilmore begins her 42nd season at AIO, this summer as our Admissions Director. For 15 years, Sherry taught and directed environmental education programs in southern Maine. She received her B.A. and teaching certification from Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Other experiences include classroom teaching, teacher training, and teaching marine biology on a 101 foot sailing ship in Puget Sound. Sherry has taught marine science in schools, written curriculum for classroom teachers, and offered workshops to bring the outdoors into classrooms well before it was fashionable. She is PADI certified and developed and runs the AIO Tropical programs and the Florida Exploration programs through her newest endeavor, Sea Star Explorations, LLC. She has recently been working with the Ocean Conservancy to encourage Congress to stay focused on important ocean issues. Her other interests include marine mammals, coastal ecology, traveling and her family.
Kathy Dubbs
Position at AIO: Co-Director of Programs
I’ve worked at AIO: 36 years
I’m from… Michigan
Right now I live in… Texas
My favorite area of study is… Geology and Biology
Kathy Dubbs returns as the AIO Co-Program Director for her 36th summer. With a B.A. in Biology from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and a M.S. in Geology from Stephen F. Austin University in Texas, Kathy is currently teaching Geology and Oceanography at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas. She has spent several years teaching marine studies and environmental education in a variety of ecosystems. Previously a teacher/program director for an environmental center in New England as well as an instructor of tropical marine ecology in Florida, Kathy also teaches in all of our winter programs. She is PADI and Lifeguard certified. Her interests include hiking, running, birding, and wildlife conservation. Each spring, she and her husband, Tim, volunteer for the National Park Service patrolling for nesting sea turtles along the Texas Gulf Coast. And she always wins at backgammon!
Timothy Dubbs
Position at AIO: Co-Director of Programs
I’ve worked at AIO: 31 years
I’m from… Texas
Right now I live in… Texas, of course!
My favorite area of study is… Geology and Physical Oceanography
Timothy Dubbs joins us for his 31st summer as the Co-Program Director. He has a B.S. in Environmental Geology from the University of Mississippi, a M.S. in Environmental Science, and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Texas, Dallas. Tim has taught and directed in science field programs in New York and Texas. Tim spent 25 years as a core teacher at Houston ISD’s Outdoor Education Center and has been a classroom science teacher within the Texas public school system. Tim devotes much time and effort to environmental issues including sea turtle conservation and wilderness preservation. He has research experience in alpine ecology, habitat survey and restoration. He is a PADI certified scuba diver and a lifeguard. Tim is a blues music aficionado, has skydiving experience, and also has interest in historic aircraft and auto racing.
Chris Cayo
Position at AIO: Recreation Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: 16 years
I’m from… Miami, Florida
Right now I live in… Miami, Florida
My favorite area of study is… Fishing
Chris Cayo (CJ) returns to us for his 16th summer as a Recreation Staff member. CJ has attended more of the AIO programs as a student than anyone and now he’s pleased to be working with the students as a staff member. He lives in Miami, Florida and sometimes spends winters in Colorado so he can partake in two of his favorite pastimes: diving and skiing. CJ has extensive SCUBA experience and helps oversee our salt water tanks during the summer and shows us all up with his diving skills on the Belize programs. He is our resident recreational fishing expert and has even hand-caught a squid off the Seal Harbor dock! He has worked with injured youth and veterans for several years and loves giving back!
Mikayla Barnwell
Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 3 years
I’m from… Massachusetts
Right now I live in… Hawaii
My favorite area of study is… coral reef restoration
Mikayla Barnwell returns to the AIO teaching staff once again! She currently lives on The Big Island of Hawai’i working on coral restoration with The Nature Conservancy. She moved to Hawai’i for graduate school where she earned her Masters degree in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science. She earned her undergraduate degree in marine biology from Roger Williams University. She is actually a New England native and was born and raised in Connecticut! Her favorite creatures to find in the ocean are nudibranchs. You can find her in tidepools or hanging out at the dock looking for these colorful sea slugs. When she’s not working on or in the ocean, she likes to hangout with her new puppy Winston! He’s a five-month old blue heeler and the bestest boy there ever was!
Bruce Stephen
Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 16 years
I’m from… Lincoln, Nebraska
Right now I live in… Lincoln, Nebraska… after many years spent in other parts of the country
My favorite area of study is… Language and culture
Bruce Stephen, to our absolute delight, is returning as a member of the AIO teaching staff. Bruce first taught for us way back in the ancient times of the 1990s and then returned to teach with us starting again in 2016. During the school year, he teaches graduate classes in Marine Science and Statistics at Unity Environmental University. On the side, he helps students with research projects, particularly their statistical analysis. Bruce holds a B.S. in Biology from SUNY Cortland, a M.S. in Marine Biology from UMass Dartmouth, and a Ph.D in Ecology from the University of Nebraska. He’s particularly fond of studying snails and fish. His favorite activity is playing drums and he is the drummer for the world-famous rock band Tolerating Bob.
Rosalind Bailey
Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 3rd summer
I’m from… Vermont
Right now I live in… California
My favorite area of study is… studying coral conservation and how climate change affects our coastal communities
Rosie Bailey joins us for her 3rd summer as a member of the teaching staff and is another staff member who was once a student at AIO! This past year, Rosie has worked as a Marine Science Instructor at the Catalina Island Marine Institute. She likes to spend her free time research diving for the Catalina Island Kelp Conservation Project. She has won several scholarships and internships for her work in science, most notably the NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship which took her to Hawaii as an education outreach intern. Rosie worked as a research assistant in the Putnam Lab at URI and was at the BBIS in Bermuda. Other work experiences include Ogontiz Camp and as a pharmacy tech. We’re excited Rosie is back!
Emily Shopland
Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 7 years
I’m from… East Hardwick, Vermont
Right now I live in… Saco, Maine
My favorite area of study is… cetacean behavior
Emily Shopland joins us for her 7th summer as one of our Oceanography Teachers. Emily is no stranger to AIO: She (and her brother) have been students in the program! Emily received her B.A. in Elementary Education and Biology from the University of Rhode Island and then started her teaching career at the Compass School before moving into her own classroom of 5th– and 6th-Grade students to teach Math and Science at the Danville School in Vermont. After a lifetime in Vermont, Emily moved to Maine where she currently teaches 5th-Grade at Alfred Elementary School in Sanford. She also spent four summers at W. Alton Jones Environmental Education Center as an outdoor science educator. Emily is looking forward to returning to AIO and sharing her love of the ocean and our program to students. Welcome back, Emily!
Akiva Garfield
Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 5th summer
I’m from… Oneonta, NY
Right now I live in… New Paltz, NY
My favorite area of study is… Geology and Astronomy
Akiva Garfield is returning for his 5th year as a teaching staff member. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a B.S. in Geology and his M.S. in secondary education. He has spent time identifying areas of erosion and other threats to streams in Delaware County and was a Watershed Steward with the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership. Akiva has also spent many years lifeguarding, is a competitive swimmer and an avid rock climber. He is science teacher at Highland High School in upstate New York where he specializes in Earth Science and Geology. His favorite AIO mug has a chicken majestically standing in front of the moon.
Lars Ruecker
Position at AIO: Oceanographic Teaching Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: 3 years
I’m from… Massachusetts
Right now I live in… Maine
My favorite area of study is… everything Ocean
Lars Ruecker is back at AIO this summer, stepping into a teaching role after starting as an intern and recently earning his degree in marine science from the University of Maine, with a concentration in marine biology. A longtime AIO student, Lars attended nearly every program we offer, from intermediate and advanced sessions to tropical programs. He’s passionate about all things ocean, and loves relaxing on the beach, going for long hikes, and shooting hoops (and losing to Matt in golf). He’s also a great cook and brings great energy to the team.
Anna Kathawala
Position at AIO: Teaching Apprentice
I’ve worked at AIO: 2 years
I’m from… New York
Right now I live in… California
My favorite area of study is… Environmental Policy
Anna Kathawala is returning to AIO for her 2nd summer, this time as our Teaching Apprentice. Anna is currently a student at the University of California, Berkeley where she just wrapped up her sophomore year. Anna is studying Environmental Policy and Political Science with a minor in German. Even though marine science isn’t her academic focus, marine conservation is a big part of the work in environmental policy and something that AIO does each year working with the Healthy Oceans Coalition and Ocean Conservancy. Anna continues to explore her love for the ocean through traveling and snorkeling. In her free time, she loves doing anything outdoors (triathlons, hiking, climbing, kayaking), baking, reading, and going on adventures. She’s looking forward to indulging those hobbies in one of the most beautiful spots in the world this summer!
Steven Gourley
Position at AIO: Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: 4th year
I’m from… McDonough, Georgia
Right now I live in… Hattiesburg, MS
My favorite area of study is… Marine mammals
Steven Gourley is returning for his 4th summer as a member of our teaching staff. He’s a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and is pursuing a degree in Conservation Biology. He’s been working at USM as a teaching assistant for several undergraduate biology courses and works with the Center for STEM Education to increase STEM involvement for middle and high school students in Mississippi. He’s also spent several years working with the Sawfish Conservation Society Education Committee to promote international conservation and research of sawfish species. He’s looking forward to returning and we’re looking forward to having him back (especially when he cooks wonderful dinners with Lars)!
Pam Shelton, RN
Position at AIO: Nurse
I’ve worked at AIO: 14 years
I’m from… Maine
Right now I live in… Portland, Maine
My favorite area of study is… Sailing
Pamela Collins RN has worked in many different areas of nursing and is certified in case management. She has been involved with in-home health care, alternative nursing, occupational health, and hospice work and spent five years at Mercy Hospital in Portland. Pam has also been a RN Clinical Instructor and recently worked as a school nurse in Maine. Pam just finished up another watercolor class at YCCC and is also partaking in an Aquacize Class at Quest Fitness a couple of times a week in a salt water pool! Pam enjoys all the trails around her home, hiking daily with my two familiars, Laz and Sassa girl! She’s making life fun with her hubby, and looking forward to her 15th summer as AIO’s camp nurse.
Tamara Franks
Position at AIO: Head Chef
I’ve worked at AIO: 3 years
I’m from… Texas
Right now I live in… no place in particular
My favorite area of study is… exploring the world
Tamara Franks returns to the kitchen of AIO as our Head Cook this summer after a long hiatus. After a decade away with other work that precluded her joining us during the summer, she is eager to make healthy meals fun and enjoyable. The blue waters of the Maine coast, the quiet trails through the fir trees and the granite domes rising above the sea have been beckoning Tamara back to not just plan and prepare our meals, but to explore the wonders of this part of our country. Since early 2024, she has been roaming the world from Thailand and Vietnam, to Costa Rica and Ireland. Staying in one place this Summer, Tamara looks forward to getting to know the AIO students and staff and what they like to eat!
Olivia Winn
Position at AIO: Intern Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: First summer
I’m from… Maine
Right now I live in... Maine
My favorite area of study is… global thermohaline current
Olivia Winn is currently a student at Colby College where she is pursuing a geology major and a statistics and marine science minor. Her favorite things about the ocean are the global thermohaline current and sea turtles. She also really enjoys studying ocean acidification and is preparing to do a presentation on possible geoengineering solutions to this problem. Olivia enjoys crocheting and reading as well as swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. She is really looking forward to returning to AIO and getting to enjoy all that Acadia has to offer!
Bianca Ropeter
Position at AIO: Intern staff
I’ve worked at AIO: 1 year
I’m from…
Right now I live in… Massachusetts
My favorite area of study is… theatre and history
Bianca Ropeter is a rising senior at College of the Holy Cross, majoring in Biology with minors in Environmental Studies and Dance. She was a student multiple times with AIO, and continued finding her passion for oceanography at a study abroad in Turks and Caicos this past fall. While spending four months in the Islands, she did research on octopus denning behavior based on their habitat preferences. At school she has joined a research team studying the resilience of the Northern Star Coral, and hopes to continue studying coral restoration in graduate school. Outside of school, Bianca can be found 100 feet under the water on a dive, doing yoga, or out on a run!
Annie Lubicky
Position at AIO: Prep Cook
I’ve worked at AIO: 1st year
I’m from… Illinois
Right now I live in… Kentucky
My favorite area of study is… running!
Annie Lubicky will join us in the kitchen this year as our prep cook Annie attended the University of Kentucky and earned a degree in broadcast journalism and has been working as a sales rep in Lexington, KY for many years. Annie attended AIO as a student back in 2004 and is excited to be on the coast of Maine again during the summer! Annie is an avid soccer player and runner and has completed several marathons and even qualified for the Boston Marathon twice!