Valerie Preler
BIMI Director
This is Valerie’s seventh year with BIMI. Over the past six years, she has developed a strong appreciation for both the natural environment and community of block Island. She is looking forward to welcoming visitors to BIMI this summer and hopes that through her role as Program Director that she can encourage others to appreciate and care for both the unique ecosystem of Block Island as well as the world at large. Valerie has a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the University of Rhode Island (URI) along with graduate certificates in Hydrology and Remote Sensing and GIS. She previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from URI and worked for over twenty years in social services before pursuing environmental studies. She believes strongly in the benefits of science education and the positive impacts of being outdoors.
Alyssa Giordano
Lead Aquarist and Marine Science Educator
Since Graduating with a B.S. in Marine Biology from UMass Dartmouth, Alyssa has been getting involved with many organizations, gaining a wide variety of experience in animal care, conservation education, animal training, and animal rehabilitation. Her involvement spans Save The Bay, National Marine Life Center, Buttonwood Park Zoo, New England Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Abrams Animal Farm, and of course the Block Island Maritime institute! Alyssa is interested in many branches of wildlife and will be returning this summer as a full time aquarist after greatly enjoying her time as an intern last year. She hopes to continue to learn and inspire passion about the ecosystems around Block Island.
Anika Hanson
Marine Educator and Public Outreach Specialist
Anika graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Biology back in 2018. Her love of marine science began at an early age having grown up on the Northern California Coast, however, was even more strengthened when she had her first experience seeing bioluminescence during a study abroad trip in Canada. Over the last couple of years Anika has worked with kids and adults in the aquatic sports sector as a Paddleboarding/Kayak Instructor, as well as Wastewater Management for the City of San Diego, as an Inspector. As of August 2022, she has traveled across the United States on a solo expedition to learn as much as possible about varying environments, sustainability, and herself, which led her to discover the Block Island Maritime Institute (BIMI). At BIMI, Anika hopes to share her love of the environment while learning as much as possible about conservation and education along the way.
Avery Gress
Maritime and Marine Science Educator
This will be Avery’s second summer working for BIMI, but has volunteered for a two summers before last. Her family has been coming to the island since the 1920s and she has been coming here ever since she was born. She is an undergraduate at the University of Rhode Island getting her Bachelor’s in Aquaculture and Fisheries. She has always had a passion for the ocean and all the creatures that inhabit it. When she is not working, she enjoys going to the beach, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, surfing, playing volleyball, and hanging out with friends.
Anna Johnson
Maritime and Marine Science Educator
Anna recently graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. She is planning on attending the University of Sydney in February to pursue a Masters in Marine Science and management. Anna is originally from Minnesota where she spent most of her time outdoors and in lakes. She has a passion for the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it and enjoys sharing her knowledge with anyone she can!
Phoebe Mack
Maritime and Marine Science Educator
Phoebe is currently a senior at the University of Rhode Island majoring in Environmental Science and Management. From growing up on the coast of California to spending her adolescence in woodland Connecticut, Phoebe has developed a strong passion for the natural world and looks forward to further expanding her environmental knowledge with BIMI. Her career interests include habitat restoration, conservation, and environmental education. In her free time, Phoebe enjoys hiking, visiting the beach, listening to music, and cooking.
Will Nelson
Maritime and Marine Science Educator
Will is a senior at Trinity College, Studying Environmental Science with a focus in ecology. Originally from Darien, Connecticut, Will developed a strong passion for the ocean and marine life, growing up around the Long Island Sound. He has spent the past two summers working as a launch operator on the Great Salt Pond and is thrilled to be a part of the BIMI team. Will’s favorite activities on Block Island include surfing and fishing around its dynamic coastline.
Jasmine Antonucci
Maritime and Marine Science Educator
Jasmine is currently going to Eastern University majoring in Biology and Research. Her interest in the natural world and her passion for marine science, and sharks grew after taking a three year science research course through SUNY high school. Ever since then she has been researching sharks, and educating others through her Project Fin website, and instagram. Her career interests include ecology, shark research, and conservation. In her free time Jasmine enjoys illustrating, playing guitar, fishing, and going outdoors.
2023 BIMI Volunteers
Lorrie Martin
This has been Lorrie’s first summer of “living her dream” here on Block Island and volunteering with BIMI, though she has been vacationing here since the ‘60’s and currently owns a cottage on Corn Neck Road. She is a recently retired Oceanography Teacher and Director of an Outdoor Education Center with Regional School District #13 in Connecticut, a Board Member at large with the Southeast New England Marine Educators Association, Coach of a National Ocean Sciences Bowl Team, maple syrup producer, organic farmer and kayaker, with a passionate love for sunsets, seahorses and water.
Aidan McCollam-Fox
This is Aidan’s third year volunteering for BIMI. He has been coming to the island since he was born, as his family built a house on Block Island in 1972. Aidan has been developing a passion for Marine Biology ever since he was young and enjoys the animals around Block Island, particularly squid. When Aidan is not volunteering he enjoys fishing, biking, swimming, and hanging out with friends.
