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Nicole Rotelle moved around a lot growing up, living in 10 different states in the US and abroad in another country. Although her home was constantly changing, she always found her way back to the ocean.

During her undergraduate studies, Nicole spent a year on the island of Oahu in Hawaii doing sea turtle research, She also studied abroad in Copenhagen in a polar biology programme. After time in the Arctic, Nicole quickly realized she wanted to return to a warmer climate.

Nicole recently graduated from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science with her Master of Professional Science in Marine Conservation. She was a coral disease and restoration intern with the National Park Service in St. Croix, USVI, and she completed her master’s thesis project assessing reef changes in response to coral disease events.

Abbie grew up in central England, about as far away from the ocean as physically possible in the UK. Despite this, she was fascinated by the marine world from an early age, and driven to make a difference with her career, which led her to an undergraduate degree in journalism and masters in marine ecology and conservation.

Abbie’s early career was spent working on research projects across the Caribbean and Indo-pacific, primarily focused on coral reef ecology, followed by the last five years working in science-to-policy with a statutory scientific advice body for the UK and UK Overseas Territories Governments. Since joining CCMI at the end of 2023, Abbie’s focus allows her to combine the two facets of her experience, her love of science with her passion for communications to bridge the gap between research and public engagement with conservation.

Dr Isabelle Schulz is a passionate marine biologist and advocate for ocean conservation, with a diverse background in research, policy, and management. Originally from Germany, Isabelle pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Biology followed by a Master’s degree in Marine Biology in Germany, followed by a Doctorate in Marine Ecology with a specialization in phytoplankton ecology at the prestigious Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Germany. During this time, she conducted groundbreaking research that contributed to our understanding of the intricate dynamics of marine life.

Following her doctoral studies, Isabelle spent four years as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, then relocated to Brussels, to champion German marine research on an international platform. There she advocated for sustainable practices and policies to safeguard our oceans’ health through the German Consortium for Marine Research and JPI Oceans.

Isabelle was Station Manager at AWIPEV, an Arctic research station in Norway. She now brings her wealth of experience to CCMI in the much warmer Caribbean to run the Little Cayman Research Centre.

Sabrina grew up in Grand Cayman and has been diving since the age of 14. During high school, she attended the CCMI Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp (CMEC) twice and later returned as a Research Intern in 2021, supported by the Ocean Science Scholarship.

She has contributed to coral disease response efforts with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment and brings additional field experience from working with Operation Wallacea in Mexico and Honduras, where she served as a Scientific Divemaster and Reef Ecology Lecturer. Sabrina holds a master’s in International Marine Science from Edinburgh, Scotland, where her dissertation focussed on coral enzyme responses to environmental stress in Malaysia.

Following her studies, Sabrina worked with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee in the UK as an International Biodiversity Officer, collaborating with the UK Overseas Territories to plan, fund, implement, and communicate conservation projects.

Sabrina is excited to rejoin CCMI’s research team, where she will support a range of research programmes over the summer.

Dr. Daria Siciliano joined the CCMI team in September 2025 as the Head of Marine Science Education, a role in which she will oversee the design, delivery, and growth of educational offerings across all levels from primary outreach to university field courses and research-based experiences. 

With over 25 years of international experience in ocean science and conservation, Daria has developed and implemented marine conservation and trans-boundary science cooperation initiatives across Pacific Small Islands Developing States, the Western Caribbean, the Celtic Sea, and North America’s western coastline. Studying the resilience of tropical coastal ecosystems, she used geochemical analyses and remote sensing tools to track environmental change in coral reefs and other coastal habitats over varying spatial and temporal scales. Over the past decade, Daria has been a teaching professor at California’s two oldest universities. She enjoyed teaching, developing field immersion courses, and mentoring students for their theses and internships, particularly women and minorities typically underrepresented in STEM scholarship. She also developed North-South academic exchanges and partnerships between U.S. institutions and their Caribbean counterparts, and led citizen-science diving trips on Cuban coral reefs as lead scientist and coordinator for a marine conservation NGO.

At CCMI, Daria’s focus is on expanding university-level education opportunities. She also provides strategic oversight for CCMI’s K–12 programmes, supporting the team in strengthening marine science literacy in the Cayman Islands and the wider Caribbean. 

Fluent in four languages and shaped by cross-national upbringing, Daria brings a deep commitment to inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards through life-changing immersive field experiences. She believes that integrating CCMI’s cutting-edge research with meaningful educational experiences will foster a greater understanding of how healthy marine ecosystems will persist and prosper in a changing world.  

Anna’s love for the ocean started at a young age – snorkelling and diving on reefs in Zanzibar while growing up in East Africa. She studied marine biology at the University of Southampton, eventually completing a Master’s thesis on coral restoration and reef resilience.

Since graduating two years ago, Anna has discovered a passion for sharing her knowledge and teaching, working as an environmental educator in Thailand and as a scuba diving instructor in Scotland. Her goal is to help make the ocean accessible everyone who wants to learn about it, and CCMI is the perfect place for her to start.

Elsa fell in love with the underwater world during her first dive in Mexico in 2020. A few years later, she switched careers to work for its protection and conservation.

With a background in communications and project management in France working alongside NGOs to advocate for more impactful volunteering, she quickly learned that educating the next generation is fundamental for all environmental and social causes.

Elsa has worked with kids throughout different steps of her career – as a camp counsellor, by organising programmes that introduce volunteering to the youth, and creating educational activities for kids clubs.

Before joining CCMI, she worked for two years in the Maldives, creating educational activities and guiding guests in snorkelling and scuba diving tours while assiduously following online trainings on marine ecosystems and their conservation.

Her skills in project management and communications, her experience with kids, and her knowledge of the underwater world are a great match for joining CCMI’s education team.

Isabela recently graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and environmental studies. Through internships with the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and Coral Restoration Foundation, Isabela developed a deep appreciation for the roles of coral restoration and science communication in protecting our reefs.

Having grown up swimming and snorkelling in the Cayman Islands, she developed a curiosity and love for the ocean from a young age. Isabela is passionate about protecting the reefs and providing opportunities for the next generation of ocean stewards. She is excited to be home and contribute to CCMI’s efforts to inspire young people in the Cayman Islands.

Biba graduated with a degree in Marine Biology and a master’s degree in biodiversity and global change, where she conducted her research at the Natural History Museum. She began diving in the cold waters of the UK then worked as a divemaster in Thailand, recently qualifying as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

Alongside her academic background, Biba developed a strong interest in science communication and education. She has worked on a range of projects creating engaging scientific content through illustration, animation, and storytelling, with a particular focus on making complex marine science accessible and exciting for diverse audiences.

Biba is excited to be joining CCMI as the Reefs Go Live Education and Communications Intern, where she hopes to combine science, creativity, and hands-on learning to help inspire the next generation of ocean stewards.

Originally from Australia, Bree began her career as a children and family photographer, capturing precious moments throughout Australia and the UK, specializing in maternity and newborns. For the past 11 years, Bree has called the Cayman Islands home, where she enjoys life with her young family and savours time spent in the stunning crystal blue waters. With over 15 years of experience, her passion for the hospitality and tourism industry all began in a ski resort in Canada.

Throughout her career she has taken on various roles that have contributed to her expertise in event management, including restaurant development, serving & mixology, personal chef, and graphic design.

“One of the aspects I love about being in this industry is how quickly adaptable you become to the ever-changing pace and environment. But also, the incredible people you meet – from your colleagues to your guests, you are never short of an amazing story!”

Kate has worked with CCMI since 2009. She has an MSc in Sustainable Development and over 20 years experience as a marketing and communications professional. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter, looking at youth, media, and ocean stewardship. Kate and her team manage the grant writing, donor management, fundraising, communications, and strategic advancement for CCMI – everything is done in house.

Kate took a sabbatical from her career in 2007 to work as a dive instructor in the Cayman Islands. This was her first move to immersing herself in the marine environment for a living and remains her passion today. Kate is determined that the general public is given the opportunity to have a better understanding of the marine environment via outreach and education from key research discoveries so they can protect it for the future.

Rob Hedges is on his second stint with CCMI – he is well remembered for his leadership and abilities as our Ops Director from 2011-2015. Joining us again in 2019 as the Business Manager and based in the UK, Rob oversees the financial, HR, and systems aspects of the company.

Rob has an academic background in coastal marine biology and over 10 years experience managing marine and tech operations. Previously, he was an ops and training manager at busy dive operation in Grand Cayman, and is also an IDC staff instructor. Rob combines a fantastic understanding of marine research in the field with the application of running a business. Rob therefore brings a wealth of experience to CCMI and will be responsible for keeping us compliant and up to date, as per the UK, US and Cayman Islands charity/non-profit regulations.

Amy Morrison is originally from central Scotland and has long been drawn to the ocean. She holds a BSc in Marine Biology from the University of Aberdeen and an MSc in Tropical Marine Biology from the University of Essex.

She gained experience in marine conservation across the Caribbean, developing a strong passion for the region and its coral reef ecosystems. During her master’s studies, she conducted her thesis research on Utila, Honduras, where she led a team of university students in reef monitoring using advanced techniques such as stereovideo surveys and 3D habitat modelling. Between degrees, she completed a marine conservation internship in Mexico, where she also achieved her Divemaster certification.

Most recently, she worked as a marine biologist and Divemaster for a marine conservation non-profit in the British Virgin Islands. In this role, she coordinated coral-focused projects and contributed across a wide range of research and conservation activities, including reef monitoring, artificial wreck surveys, cetacean research, shark tagging, ghost gear cleanups, and community outreach.

Anna is from The Bahamas, where a lifelong connection to the ocean has shaped her perspective and career. She brings over a decade of experience in fundraising and communications, focussed on building meaningful relationships and long-term support for conservation organisations across the region.

New to CCMI in 2026, Anna is based in Grand Cayman and works to strengthen donor partnerships, develop multi-year giving programmes, and engage new audiences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photography and brings an artistic lens to her work, inspired by the intersection of art and science in the natural world. She believes storytelling can translate complex conservation themes into connection, action, and impact.

Balt grew up in the coastal island town of Arrowsic, Maine. As an undergraduate at Dartmouth College, he worked as a biological field assistant, surveying everything from ticks in New Hampshire to mosquitoes in Greenland to hermit crabs off the Maine coast. In 2018, Dartmouth’s Biology Foreign Study Program brought him to CCMI, which rekindled a love for marine life from early childhood. He graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies.

Prior to joining CCMI in 2023, Balt worked for the California Water Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey. As a hydrologic technician, he was involved in water quality monitoring in the Sacramento River Delta and San Francisco Bay, included calibrating instruments, troubleshooting data buoys, maintaining time-series data as a local data manager, and cruising through the Delta at the helm of various small research vessels.

At CCMI, Balt is involved with boat operations and general station upkeep.

Lowell first came to the Cayman Islands in the early 2000’s to work seven years with Sam McCoys Lodge in Little Cayman before leaving on roll over for a year. When he returned to Cayman, Lowell came to CCMI in 2008, starting as a part-time employee and quickly  moving into a full time role after Hurricane Paloma. As Maintenance Manager, Lowell is responsible for keeping CCMI’s facilities maintained and captaining the boats. Originally from Guanaja, Honduras, Lowell is a PADI divemaster and has an outstanding knowledge of the waters surrounding Little Cayman. He runs a safe and successful dive operation at CCMI and has developed a strong reputation among the repeat researchers and education groups. He has participated in many field research activities and has invaluable experience of the overall operations of the research facility. Lowell enjoys passing this knowledge onto to young students and researchers alike.

Robyn joined CCMI in 2017, and has lived in Grand Cayman since 2009, when she moved to the island from Bermuda. An environmental educator by trade, Robyn worked as project manager with the Cayman Islands Tourism Association and Tower Marketing, where she planned and organised projects such as Taste of Cayman and the Cayman Finance Student Education and Work Experience Programme. Her passion in life is helping people find their passion, especially if that is protecting and conserving ocean ecosystems. At CCMI, Robyn is the Grand Cayman based contact, responsible for organizing fundraising events, supporting education programmes on Grand Cayman, and supporting the development efforts as CCMI grows and implements new and exciting programmes.

Alex Gosbee is CCMI’s Dive Training and Safety Officer. He swapped aircraft hangars for life underwater. With a background as a licensed aircraft engineer, he brings a strong focus on safety and attention to detail, and he admits he’s much happier in fins than steel-toe boots.

Before coming to CCMI, Alex most recently worked as a Dive Safety Officer with People and the Sea in Malapascua, Philippines, where he developed a real connection to the ocean and the communities that depend on it. He’s passionate about protecting the marine environment and making every dive as safe as it is unforgettable.

Devon Robinson joins CCMI with more than 30 years of experience in international and local cuisine. Cooking has always been his passion, and he has obtaining many certificates and a diploma in his chosen career. Devon has a lot of experience in high-end restaurants where he jointly worked with other executive chefs to ensure efficient and timely preparation of meals. Devon enjoys creating menus and preparing foods from scratch using a mix of authentic recipes that he has mastered over the years. This includes a strong background in vegetarian cooking!

Caiti Allison is a Science Communicator with a Master’s in Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. Inspired by a lifelong connection to the ocean, she has built a career dedicated to bridging the gap between people, science, and the natural world.

Caiti’s worked as a PADI Divemaster in South Africa, Mozambique, and Indonesia, where her firsthand experiences in marine ecosystems fuelled her passion for ocean conservation. She advanced her studies at Rhodes University, South Africa, before transitioning from academia to storytelling – blending visual and written narratives to amplify critical ocean issues.

Professionally, Caiti has worked as the Science Communicator on the One Ocean Hub Deep-Sea Capacity Development Cruise off South Africa’s Amatola region. She later joined CCMI as the Reefs Go Live Intern, helping with the production of live underwater broadcasts. As the Content Creator and Digital Engagement Coordinator at Save Our Seas Foundation, Caiti developed a calling for impact-storytelling, honed by her exposure to the wealth of research and conservation efforts from scientists, conservationists, and educators. Today, she continues her mission as a Science Communication Consultant for CCMI.

Carrie founded CCMI in 1998 and developed the organisation with a strong focus on protecting the biodiversity of coral reefs through research, education and conservation. As a professor of oceanography, Carrie has dedicated over 20 years to marine research in the Cayman Islands.

Carrie is an oceanographer and in 2016 was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for work on the effects of rising sea level on coastal communities in the Indian Ocean. She established CCMI in 1998 and developed the Little Cayman Research Centre with a vision to advance the frontiers of coral reef science, conservation and education. Her Ph.D. in Marine Geology and Geophysics is from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. As CCMI’s founder, her deep-rooted curiosity is in the extinction risks of modern corals and she is concerned about the influence reef degradation has on coastal communities. She has partnered with collaborators from all over the world who work on topics including impacts of ocean acidification and climate change on corals, algae, and fish.

In an effort to bring attention to threats to reefs, she organized the 2016 symposium in London to “Rethink the Future for Coral Reefs’ with CCMI’s royal patron, His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex. She contributed to the United Nations Chronicle, writing on the Sustainable Development Goals for the ocean and served as a member of the UN World Commission on Marine Protected Areas. As an educator, her greatest aspiration is for children to be ocean literate and she is invested in supporting early career scientists, especially in bringing science to society and in engaging women in science.

Desrine has been an invaluable member of CCMI’s team since 2023, serving an important role to our staff and visiting students and researchers alike. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for maintaining a clean and welcoming environment, Desrine plays a crucial role in ensuring the Little Cayman Research Centre is always in top condition.

Her commitment to cleanliness and organization not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of our space; it also contributes to the health and safety of our staff and visitors. Desrin’s work ethic is unmatched, and her friendly demeanor makes her a favorite among colleagues and guests alike.

Her dedication to her role is evident in every corner of our facility, making her an indispensable part of our team.