Faculty and Staff
At the heart of the AIO program is an experienced and qualified core of educators trained in the field of oceanography. These are classroom teachers, practicing scientists, and researchers — many with advanced graduate degrees in their fields. The student to instructor ratio is approximately four to one. Other staff members include a full-time nurse, a professional cook, and our college interns.
Matthew Lubicky
Co-Director
Matt returns for his 23rd summer at AIO and his 2nd year serving as Co-Director! For the past eight years, he’s been teaching middle school and high school science at Moorestown Friends School (MFS) in Moorestown, NJ. Besides teaching 8th-Grade Science, Honors Biology, and Oceanography at MFS, Matt is also the Lead Advisor for the 8th-Grade and he coaches the middle school FLL Robotics team. 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. Matt has worked for the AIO Tropical and Florida programs, as well. Matt even attended AIO as a student back in 2002 and 2003! In his free time, Matt plays a lot of ultimate frisbee in leagues around Philadelphia. He has acquired many championship discs and many injuries. He’s looking forward to welcoming another great cohort of AIO students this summer.
Alicia Navarrete
Co-Director
Alicia returns for her 12th summer at AIO and her 2nd year serving as Co-Director! She currently works at the Princeton-Blairstown Center in New Jersey, where she facilitates adventure-based leadership programs for historically underserved youth. Alicia also writes curriculum, supports staff training, and spearheads campus initiatives focused on equity and environmental stewardship. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego, and although she began her career in traditional classrooms, it was her time at the Houston ISD Outdoor Education Center that made her realize nature-centered, immersive education was where she was meant to be. Coincidentally, that’s also where she met fellow AIO faculty members Matt, Tim, and Kathy! Following a 10-year summer tenure leading inclusive programming for children of all abilities at the Rotary Sunshine Camp, Alicia started at AIO, where she holds the high score on Macman and always will. Alicia is a certified lifeguard and Wilderness First Responder whose favorite free-time activities include traveling and hitting the trail.
Kathy Dubbs
Co-Director of Programs
Kathy returns as the AIO Co-Program Director for her 37th 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!
Tim Dubbs
Co-Director of Programs
Tim returns for his 32nd 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.
Bruce Stephen
Teacher of Oceanography
Bruce has a B.S. in Biology from SUNY Cortland, a M.S. in Marine Biology from UMass Dartmouth, and a PhD in Ecology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His favorite thing about the ocean, well, there are too many cool things about the ocean to list them all. Echinoderms are awesome, green sea urchins! The silver-spotted anemone is great and has an awesome species epithet in its scientific name, stella! During the school year he is an Assistant Professor and teaches biology, environmental science, and research methods at Alfred State College in Alfred, NY. Before his PhD, he spent five years as a research associate at McLean Hospital with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program. He has published scientific articles with topics ranging from fish physiology to drug use among college students. He published AIO data (collected by students) on green crabs a few years back. His main area of research these days is the ecology of snails. He is also an avid musician, playing drums with a band for many years. Tolerating Bob forever!
Emily Shopland
Teacher of Oceanography
Emily returns for her 8th summer on the AIO staff. During the school year, Emily teaches 5th-Grade math, science, and social studies at Yarmouth Elementary School in Yarmouth, Maine. Emily received her B.A. in Elementary Education and Biology from the University of Rhode Island. When she’s not teaching, she loves to read, hike, kayak, and tidepool. Using seaweed to make pressing art and cyanotypes is one of her favorite summer hobbies! Emily enjoys teaching the students about algae, the intertidal, and sometimes even exploding whales.
Lars Ruecker
Teacher of Oceanography
Lars returns to AIO for his 2nd summer on the teaching staff and his 8th summer overall! He attended AIO as a student, enrolling in nearly every program offered – from intermediate and advanced sessions to the tropical programs – before becoming an intern and finally teaching staff. Lars has a B.S. in Marine Science with a concentration in Marine Biology from the University of Maine. This past school year, Lars taught 7th-Grade math, and he is more than ready to dive back into his true element: the water. He is 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 is also a phenomenal cook who often shares his meals with the students and staff of AIO.
Chris Cayo
Recreation Staff
Chris Cayo (CJ) returns to us for his 17th 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
Teacher of Oceanography
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!
Rosie Bailey
Teacher of Oceanography
Rosie returns to the AIO staff for her 4th summer hailing from the Pacific Coast! During the year, she works as an Animal Care Specialist at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California, where she cares for a variety of marine and land mammals, conducts scientific outreach, and teaches guests about vital conservation initiatives. Deeply committed to marine stewardship, Rosie also performs volunteer dives at the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco and serves as a research diver for the Kelp Conservation Project on Catalina Island. She is continuously inspired by the resilience of our oceans and is happiest when exploring California’s iconic kelp forests. When she isn’t underwater, Rosie enjoys hiking through the redwoods and hunting for sea glass. She can’t wait to jump into another incredible summer exploring alongside the students at AIO!
Natalia Sawicka
Teacher of Oceanography
Natalia is thrilled to return to AIO for her 2nd summer, this time as a member of our teaching staff! She has been counting down the days to get back to Acadia ever since wrapping up her AIO internship in 2023. Natalia is a recent graduate of Boston University, where she earned a B.A. in Marine Science with minors in Visual Arts and the Core Curriculum (i.e. a liberal arts curriculum concentration for bookworms). She spent this past spring interning at the New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital, focusing on rescue and rehabilitation. Natalia’s background is packed with marine adventures, from serving as a research assistant with the Center for Coastal Studies’ Humpback Whale Program and working as a naturalist for the Dolphin Fleet, to sailing across the tropical South Pacific with the Sea Education Association and spending three years as an aquarist at BU’s Marine Program Teaching Lab. Natalia’s other passion is art, and she loves creating artwork to capture and share the wonder and beauty of the ocean. When she isn’t on the water or sketching its inhabitants, Natalia enjoys singing, reading, baking, and hanging out with her two cats.
Paige Doucette
Teacher of Oceanography
Paige joins the AIO teaching staff for her very first summer! She is a recent graduate of the University of Maine, where she earned her degree in Marine Science with minors in Computer Science and Sustainability. Paige spent several summers as a counselor at Camp Bob Cooper in South Carolina, most recently serving as their Marine Science Counselor and leading hands-on waterfront activities for campers. She finds all marine life captivating, from giant kelp to whales. In her free time, Paige loves to hit the slopes for snow skiing and jump into the water for scuba diving. She is so excited to spend her summer teaching in beautiful Acadia National Park!
Griffin Gilmore
Recreation Staff
Griffin returns this summer with a lifetime of AIO history at his back! Having literally grown up in and around the program, he has been part of the AIO community for as long as he can remember. This past year, Griffin has been living between the United States and Japan, where he was teaching English at several elementary schools in Saitama. He is currently working with Sea Star Explorations to design and organize diverse domestic and international marine science and cultural programs for students. Particularly drawn to the human side of marine biology, Griffin is interested in studying the cultural impact of the ocean and its ecosystems on coastal communities, though he has a soft spot for marine mammals. In his free time, he is an avid traveler, hiker, and outdoor photographer. Griffin is incredibly excited to bring his global perspective and deep-rooted love for AIO to another amazing summer!
Anna Kathawala
Teaching Apprentice
Anna returns to AIO for her 3rd summer on staff! Having transitioned from an AIO intern, she is now entering her second year as a teaching apprentice while completing her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. A rising senior, she is studying Environmental and Political Science with a focus on sustainable agriculture and food systems. Deeply invested in environmental policy and its role in ocean conservation, she’s always eager to dive back into learning about the incredible algae along the Maine coast! When she isn’t in class or doing research, this triathlete can usually be found running, biking, or swimming in the lovely Bay Area.
Pamela Collins RN
Nurse
Pamela is absolutely thrilled to rejoin the AIO team as “Nurse Pam” for her 17th summer, and we are so lucky to have her back! A versatile and experienced Registered Nurse, Pam’s diverse career spans home health care, alternative nursing, occupational health, and hospice work, alongside five years at Mercy Hospital in Portland. She has also served as an RN Clinical Instructor and worked as a school nurse in Maine. Pam is currently enjoying her annual watercolor class and spent the winter trail-walking with her dogs. An avid amateur photographer, she often captures and shares beautiful moments from AIO’s lessons and activities. As a true Mainer who grew up on and around the water, she loves to be out on the boat with the students and learning right alongside them. As Pam puts it: “I work with the best team of gifted and invested instructors, and our students make this program so rewarding. They are the best, ever!”
Tamara Franks
Head Chef
Tamara returns to the kitchen of AIO as our Head Cook again this summer. She just can’t get enough of figuring out what budding scientists love to eat! 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, not just to 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. Since the summer of 2025, her travels have taken her to Aravaipa Canyon living among the giant Saguaro cactus in Arizona, enjoying the heavy wet snows of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, and the frigid, minus twenty degree weather in Minneapolis, MN in January. We’re so happy to have Tamara back in the kitchen where she is such a positive presence providing excellent meals to all our students and giving them the chance to eat some plump raisins!
Annie Lubicky
Prep Cook
Annie returns to the AIO kitchen this summer to provide our students with nutritious, delicious meals! Currently living in Lexington, Kentucky, she works as the Marketing Director for the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association. Like many staff, Annie was once a student at AIO, and at her core, she is a devoted advocate for animal welfare. She spends much of her time volunteering with a local rescue and finds the work incredibly important and rewarding. Annie is also a dedicated soccer player, competing in adult leagues year-round and is a big time supporter of Liverpool FC (Up the Reds!). When she’s in Acadia, she loves learning about all the incredible creatures that call the sea home, and running on the park’s many scenic carriage roads, though she admits that it is a humbling – and beautiful – experience.
Lydia Smith
Intern Staff
Lydia joins AIO as an intern this summer, after having participated in an Advanced Session in 2022! A rising junior at the University of Rhode Island, she is pursuing a degree in Environmental Education and Ornamental Horticulture. Lydia is particularly drawn to hands-on, field-based science education. She previously served as a Nature Ambassador at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, where she designed lessons for the community, and spent last summer at the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge assisting with wildlife care, leading nature walks, and teaching environmental lessons. When she isn’t hiking in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, Lydia can often be found exploring the coast – whether she’s collecting shells and rocks, taking sunset walks at Rhode Island beaches, or jumping in for a chilly polar plunge! AIO runs in the family for Lydia, whose dad, Dan Smith, taught here back in the mid-90s.
Bella Savoie
Intern Staff
Bella joins us this summer as a member of our intern staff after participating in nearly all of AIO’s offered programs! A rising sophomore at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, she is double majoring in Marine Biology & Ecology and Geological Sciences. She is currently researching benthic foraminiferal assemblages in cores from Mozambique to study ancient sea level and reef ecosystems. Bella spent nearly two years as a Volunteer Educator and Marine Science Fellow at the Seacoast Science Center in New Hampshire, where she taught tide pool and reef ecology, and conducted independent research on Sea Star Wasting Disease. When she isn’t in the lab, Bella loves a good beach day, exploring nature with friends, surfing, hiking, and trying new foods. Her favorite things about the ocean are the rocky intertidal ecosystem, sea stars and sea urchins, and paleoclimate.
Tyler Gregory
Intern Staff
Tyler joins the AIO intern staff this summer, bringing with him a lifelong love for the outdoors and an incredibly diverse set of practical skills! A student at Austin Community College studying Environmental Science and Wildlife Management, Tyler is working toward a career with Texas Parks and Wildlife. He’s looking forward to swapping the Texas heat for the cool Maine coast, as he has done for two years as an Advanced student. An experienced boater and outdoor educator, Tyler has also spent several summers working with Outdoor Texas Camps teaching hunting, fishing, and outdoorsmanship skills, and even spent a summer working with wolves at Mission Wolf in Colorado. In his free time, Tyler loves kayaking, archery, hiking, catching drum, and experimenting in the kitchen. He can’t wait to share his enthusiasm for nature with our students this summer.
Sherry Gilmore
Emeritus Director
Sherry is AIO’s Emeritus Director having led AIO from 1991-2024 after inheriting the program from founder George Hahn who started the Acadia Institute in 1975. Sherry built AIO into the incredible summer program it is today. She’s taught thousands of students from all across the US and world about the wonders of the ocean. All of us are lucky to have worked and learned from Sherry at AIO and we look forward to carrying on the tradition of high quality, hands-on learning that Sherry helped create here. Although Sherry isn’t teaching this summer in the program, we hope to see her around when she comes to visit Acadia. Sherry heads up Sea Star Explorations which runs trips nationally and internationally for interested students to destinations like Florida, Belize, and Japan. Students this summer will get to hear about some of those trips that are exclusive to those who successfully complete their session at AIO and can choose to apply to one of these excellent programs.