COA Crew News

Welcome Kaylee DiPasquale, Community Science Program Coordinator!

Kaylee has a mantra: “Everything I needed to know in life, I learned in the ocean.” She is most passionate

Kaylee DiPasquale
Community Science Program Coordinator

about protecting the biodiversity and health of the ocean. So, it is no surprise she found her way to COA, and we could not be more thrilled! She holds a BA from Rider University with a concentration in Marine Science. Kaylee is also passionate about education, working for Monmouth County Park System doing outreach, and most recently was teaching Oceanography at Brookdale Community College. With these experiences and background, Kaylee is like a fish in water in her new position working to enhance and expand COA’s Rally for the Waterways program. 

“Ever since I was a kid, I have had a strong connection to the ocean. Growing up and seeing the negative ways that anthropogenic [human] activity has affected our marine life has made me eager to pursue a career in ocean conservation. Only with healthy oceans can we ensure the thriving biodiversity of our marine life, a cause I am most passionate about,” says Kaylee.

Caitlyn Czajkowski Off to Washington, D.C.

Caitlyn site scoping for water sampling!

As mentioned in July, Caitlyn was filling a fellowship role at COA as the Community Science Program Fellow as she awaited placement in the prestigious Knauss Fellowship program, an outstanding achievement! The Sea Grant affiliated program is a national appointment and is highly competitive. She will join 85 others from 62 universities in 26 coastal states. Caitlyn will set sail to begin the onboarding of the intense program at the end of October. In the meantime, she is training Kaylee to ensure a smooth transition. Congratulations and waves of thanks, Caitlyn! Smooth sailing as you navigate the challenges of marine and coastal policy management.

Meet COA’s Policy Attorney, Erika Bosack!

Erika Bosack
Policy Attorney

In July, Erika Bosack began working part-time remotely from Delaware while finishing a clerkship. She has now moved to New Jersey and is working full-time. She received her J.D. from William and Mary Law School with a concentration in Environmental Law, and a BA from College of William and Mary with a minor in Environmental Science & Policy. Erika has always aspired to be a lawyer defending the environment. To that end, she has worked for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, US Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division. Erika’s work was honored to be published in the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review and for the Virginia Coastal Policy Center. She has also had papers published on renewable energy and mitigation funding. Now officially established with the COA Crew, she is on the case to the defend the ocean!

Welcome Back, Toni Groet!

Toni and her newborn daughter

 Toni Groet had a remarkable and busy summer taking time off   welcoming her daughter into the world. She is now back to work   ensuring the ocean is clean and healthy for her child and all to   enjoy! As South Jersey Coordinator, Toni brings all COA   programs to the region, all the while applying her experience in   marine mammal and sea turtle stranding and protection. She is   currently also conducting research on offshore wind. 

 Interested in getting involved with COA in the South Jersey   region? Email Toni Groet at Outreach@CleanOceanAction.org   or call (732) 872-0111.