Samantha Chadee is a researcher, lecturer and consultant, whose work is centered on sustainable development within urban systems from an environmental perspective. She is currently based at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) as an assistant professor attached to the Office of Research, Academic and Student Affairs. Her main research areas are urban ecosystems, climate change and positive environmental behavior. Samantha has authored numerous publications and has presented her research at various conferences and to professional bodies. She is committed to national service through serving on several national committees and her ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of holistic and innovative solutions to the multidimensional challenges of realizing sustainable development.

Dr. Sharda Mahabir has a PhD in Environmental Biology from the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad. She is currently the National Coordinator for the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme. She has also lectured part-time with the Department of Life Sciences, UWI, St. Augustine at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. She was part of a five-person team, which completed the first ecological assessment of rivers across Trinidad and Tobago. She developed an award-winning programme called Adopt A River for the local water authority. This programme completed 35 clean-up exercises; 40 recycling projects; 3 tree-planting exercises and developed 12 water supply projects. These activities reached 5000 persons and over 200 community members were trained in two years.

Dr. Jaeson Clayborn is an assistant professor in biology at Miami Dade College Padrón Campus. Education and research in conservation and sustainability are my passion. My professional life goals are to understand and preserve the entomological and botanical world, engage local communities through service-learning and inquiry-based activities, and empower people to become citizen scientists. By doing so we can enrich local biodiversity in neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas. We live in a time where experiential learning and stories about different species matter, because how we feel about and connect with these species will determine their survival in the present and future. 

Dr. Roderick Stewart (Rod) was born and raised in Scotland and has a BSc degree in Geophysics from Edinburgh University. Since graduating, he has worked as a seismologist in very diverse areas including global seismology, the monitoring of underground nuclear explosions, micro-earthquakes associated with geothermal energy extraction and in the oil industry. His passion is volcano-seismology and he has worked as a volcano seismologist at both Rabaul Volcano Observatory, Papua New Guinea and Montserrat Volcano Observatory. Rod has been employed by UWI-SRC for almost 15 years and based in Montserrat since late 2012 where he served as Director from 2012 to 2019. He is currently serving as a Research Fellow at Montserrat Volcano Observatory and is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. 

Eustacia Marie Jennings is a seasoned Environmental, Health & Safety Professional. She is CEO and Principal Consultant of JESS (Jennings Environmental, Safety and Security) Consultants. She has several degrees in Environmental Science and many Safety and Environmental Certifications. She has over 20 years in Environmental experience and 10 plus years in Safety spanning numerous industries including the Power, Maritime, Aviation, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, Food and Beverage, Entertainment and Tourism Industries. She now spends her time with clients developing Environmental and Safety Management Systems (ESMS) for companies including COVID19 risk management. The core values of JESS are integrity, authenticity, discipline and creativity which reflect her personal values. The Plan, Do, Check, Act approach to Management Systems and hierarchy of risk controls are at the heart of JESS business model. The company’s slogan “safe people, safe places, safe planet” encourages everyone to make choices that reduce risk and promote environmental conservation. When not working, Jennings enjoys traveling and has visited over 60 countries but none as beautiful as The Bahamas.

Dr. Peter Wampler is a broadly trained environmental geologist, geomorphologist, and surface water hydrologist with a background in both academic and government regulation of mining and storm water. He received a PhD in 2004 for work on human- and climatic-induced changes along the Clackamas River in Oregon. Since coming to Grand Valley State University in 2004 he has worked with undergraduate and graduate students on applied geoscience research: 1) evaluating GVSU’s storm water runoff footprint and assisting in designing Best Management Practices for GVSU (www.gvsu.edu/stormwater); 2) investigating water resources, water treatment, and groundwater contamination pathways in rural Haiti (www.gvsu.edu/haitiwater); 3) evaluating human impacts to river systems resulting from dams and other structures (http://faculty.gvsu.edu/wamplerp/); and 4) Using Geographic Information Systems to create household radon hazard maps for Michigan using geologic data.

Heidi LeSane is a Life Scientist and works at the Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation Division in Region 4. As the Asthma Program Coordinator, Heidi has a focus to decrease the number of asthmatics exposed to indoor environmental asthma triggers and to educate individuals on the environmental management of asthma. She serves as a Technical Officer for Asthma/Indoor Air Quality Assistance Agreements. Heidi is the Environmental Justice Coordinator for the Division and Coordinates the Air Quality Flag Program for the Region. Heidi works close with state and local agencies and non-profit organizations to achieve her goals. She is a proud graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery with a B.S. in Biology and has her Master of Public Administration in Environmental Management from Troy State University.