Dr. Cara Estes - Director of Academic Affairs

Cara Estes, Ph.D. cestes@mooremarinecollege.com

Professor of Oceanography and researcher focused on elasmobranch research off the coast of Tarpon Springs, FL.


Education

2017-2023 University of South Florida College of Marine Science PhD program

Graduate Research Assistant (Biological Oceanography) Dr. Frank Muller-Karger, Major Advisor

2016 Florida State University, Bachelor of Science in Biology, minor Chemistry (Graduated with Honors)


Employment 2023

Moore Marine College – Professor of Oceanography

2018 Oceanography Camp for Girls– Science Mentor

2016-2017 AmeriCorps –Environmental Steward

2015 NOAA-Reef Fish Survey –Summer Internship Team Member

2014 NASA DEVELOP Program –Research Associate


Publications

Estes, C. (2016). Comparison of Reef Fish Communities East and West of Cape San Blas in Northeast Gulf of Mexico. Retrieved from http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1470348249

Medina, M., Estes, C., Best, B., Stallings, C.D., Montes, E., McEachron, L.G., Muller-Karger FE. (2021). Reef-fish abundance, biomass, and biodiversity inside and outside no-take marine zones in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: 1999–2018. Oceanography. 34:2. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2021.214.

Estes, C. (2023). Time-Series Analysis of Coral Reef and Reef-Fish Biodiversity in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10719


Teaching Credentials

2023- Professor of self-developed 200-400 level college courses (Marine Ecology, R for Statistics, Elasmobiology, Marine Ecosystems, Advanced Marine Biology, Ichthyology, Fisheries, and on boat labs). Teach 9-12 credit hours a semester

Master’s Students

Current: Aziz Hassanali, Grace Kim 2023- Elasmobranch Professor for CMERA summer program (four hour-long lectures every week from May-August)

2018 Oceanography Camp for Girls—Science mentor

2016-2017 Implemented a STEM curriculum targeting third and fifth grade students at 22 different elementary schools in Walton and Okaloosa County


Lina Garzon - Professor


Dedicated marine biologist and educator with a strong foundation in biology education, environmental science, and hands-on marine research. Passionate about fostering student curiosity, scientific literacy, and stewardship of marine ecosystems through experiential and inquiry-based learning.


Ana Lucía Azul Acuña, MSc - Professor Marine Botany and Biochemistry

Ana Lucía Azul Acuña, MSc azul.archivos@gmail.com

Biologist and Marine Environmental Scientist specialising in marine plants, ecological restoration, plant ecophysiology, marine biodiversity, and science communication.


Education

2025 – MSc in Marine Environment and Resources, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme
University of Bordeaux, France; University of the Basque Country, Spain; University of Liège, Belgium

MSc research focused on monitoring the physiological performance of Posidonia oceanica transplants from two donor populations in Calvi Bay, Corsica.

2022 – Licentiate Degree in Biological Sciences
National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina

Undergraduate research focused on the anatomy, histochemistry, bioactive compounds, and seed fatty acids of the native coastal plant Oenothera mollissima.


Research Experience

2024–2025 – MSc Researcher, University of Liège, Belgium & STARESO, Corsica, France

Research on Posidonia oceanica transplantation and ecological restoration, with a focus on plant physiological and biochemical indicators of transplantation success. The research was conducted within the STARECAPMED project and included field campaigns in Calvi Bay, physiological measurements, biochemical analyses, and scientific data interpretation.

2016–2022 – Research Trainee, CONICET and National University of Mar del Plata research institutes, Argentina

Research experience across plant biology, marine and coastal biodiversity, plant anatomy and histochemistry, phytochemistry, and botanical collections. Research placements included the Institute for Biodiversity and Biotechnology Research (INBIOTEC), the Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (IIMyC), and the Institute for Research in Production, Health and Environment (IIPROSAM).

Her research activities included field sampling, botanical surveys, microscopy, laboratory analyses, scientific writing, biodiversity documentation, and participation in research projects involving native plants and coastal ecosystems.

Teaching Experience

2026–Present – Faculty, Moore Marine College

University-level teaching in Marine Botany and Biochemistry, including practical and laboratory activities, development of learning materials, and guidance in biological observation and interpretation.

2022–2023 – German Teacher, Instituto Juan Gutenberg, Argentina

Teaching German as a foreign language to primary and secondary school students, including lesson planning, development of teaching materials, and assessment of learning progress.

2015 – Student Teaching Assistant, National University of Mar del Plata

Teaching assistant for university-level Animal Biology, supporting practical classes involving animal identification, microscopy, preserved specimens, field activities, and interpretation of phylogenetic relationships.

Additional educational experience includes environmental education, community-based learning, outreach activities, and participatory educational projects.


Publications and Research Outputs

Boulenger, A., Acuña, A. L. A., Roberty, S., Lepoint, G., Marengo, M., & Gobert, S. (2026). Physiological and biochemical indicators of Posidonia oceanica transplantation success. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 223, 119036.

Acuña, A. L. A., Leonard, S., & Aponte, M. G. (2025). STARESO Spring 2025: Corsica Concours and Research. MER Newsletter.

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) – Contributor to the dataset Colección de Plantas Vasculares de la Reserva Natural Faro Querandí (2018–2021) y Arenera Querandí (2009).


Awards and Recognition

  • 2025 – Nomination, Prix Océanographie et Protection des Océans, University of Liège, Belgium.
  • 2023 – Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarship, European Commission / Erasmus+.
  • 2021 – Manuel Belgrano Strategic Scholarship Program, Ministry of Education, Argentina.

Professional Memberships

2026–2029 – Member, IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)

Membership approved for the 2026–2029 quadrennial period. The CEC brings together expertise in education, communication, conservation, sustainability, and approaches to engaging people in the conservation of nature.

Science Communication and Outreach

Experience in science communication, environmental education, and community outreach, including the development of accessible educational materials and communication of marine and plant science to academic and non-academic audiences.

Her outreach experience includes environmental education projects such as Huertas Escolares (School Orchards), botanical field activities, guided visits, community-based educational initiatives, and scientific communication related to marine research in Corsica.

Research Interests

Marine plants and seagrasses • Posidonia oceanica • Ecological restoration • Plant ecophysiology • Marine biodiversity • Blue carbon • Plant–environment interactions • Science communication and education


Professor | Moore Marine College

MSc Marine Environment & Resources | UBx / EHU-UPV / ULiege
Licenciada en Ciencias Biológicas | UNMdP

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-luc%C3%ADa-azul-acu%C3%B1a/ 




Jennifer Walker - Professor

Jennifer L Walker, MAT - Over 20 years of experience in K–12 education, and 4 years in college-level instruction, with a focus on the physical sciences, instructional technology, and cross-curriculum pedagogy.


Educational Background

● Masters of Arts in Teaching- Specifically secondary physics education. Boston University, Boston, MA

● Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry- Saint Anslem College, Manchester, NH

● North Carolina Department of Education Certified Educator in physical science, chemistry, and physics Professional Experience: Higher Education Instruction

● Moore Marine College

● Meredith College

● Wake Tech Community College

● Independence University Classes taught: Organic Chemistry 1, General Chemistry 2, General Chemistry 2 lab, General Physics, Physics for Non-Majors Secondary Education Instruction ● The Compass School (virtual) ● John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (Virtual) ● Cardinal Gibbons High School ● Research Triangle High School ● Southern Wake Academy (department chair) Classes taught: AP Physics C, Honors Physics, General Physics, Forensics, Anatomy and Physiology, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, Honors Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physical Science


Nayka Miller - Professor

Nayka B.F. Miller, Ed.M.
Also known as Señora Miller
Pen name: Nayka Barrios Jaén


Multilingual educator and researcher with a global teaching footprint in the U.S. and Latin America. Over 15 years of experience in K–12 education, and 5 years in college-level instruction, with a focus on second language acquisition, instructional technology, and cross-cultural pedagogy.


Educational Background

  • Doctorate in Education and Research (Ed.D.) – In progress, Dissertation: Integration of multimodal artificial intelligence in bilingual education and digital literacy to support academic and economic mobility in adult learners
  • Master of Education in Applied Linguistics and Higher Education – Universidad de Jaén, Spain
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Teaching for Language Acquisition – Harvard University
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Advertising – UDI Panamá
  • Florida Department of Education Certified Educator.
  • Cervantes Institute Certification, Spain
  • College Board AP Spanish Reader & Table Leader


Professional Experience: 

Higher and Secondary Education Instruction

  • St. Petersburg College, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Florida Virtual School,
  • Clearwater Central Catholic School
  • Courses taught: AP Spanish Language and Culture, ESL Writing &
  • Communication, Conversational Spanish I–IV

Governmental and International Work

  • Managed OAS-funded development projects through the Ministry of the
  • Presidency of Panamá, focusing on national and indigenous communities

Author of Instructional Literature

  • Published under Nayka Barrios Jaén
  • Titles include bilingual readers and novels for CEFR levels A1–C1

Professional Memberships

  • American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
  • American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)
  • International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

Global engagement is maintained through ongoing academic collaboration and regular travel between the United States, Panamá, and Spain.