The Navigating Home Project

PI, U.S. Virgin Islands

I am a Research Associate Professor in the Center for Marine & Environmental Studies at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). My research examines human impacts to nearshore environments, especially mangroves.

At UVI, I teach in the Masters of Marine & Environmental Science program, mentor students, and engage the community through outreach and education, running the Mangroves in the Classroom project and the territory-wide Great Mangrove Cleanups.

I am deeply committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the geosciences and lead the NSF Includes SEAS Islands Alliance, a $10M National Science Foundation-funded network that supports students from middle school through to the workforce in the marine and environmental sciences from the USVI, Puerto Rico, and Guam. I am also the Director for the Virgin Islands Water Resources Research Institute, a network of 54 institutes across the US in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey.

Co-PI, U.S. Virgin Islands

I am the Co-PI for the USVI Hub for Navigating Home and has mentored several Workforce Fellows. Born and raised in St. Thomas, I am passionate about protecting the U.S. Virgins. Currently, I am the Director of the newly created Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas within the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (VI DPNR). During my time working in the VI DPNR, I have led environmental outreach initiatives, provided project management, and connected the environmental community through networking and event facilitation. My programs, such as Science Saturday, VI Clean Coasts, and Refill Bottles, Not Dumpsters, work with the community to bring attention and action to environmental issues facing the territory.

PI, Guam

Dr. Austin J. Shelton serves as an associate professor and the director of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. A native of Guam, Shelton grew up observing environmental degradation and was inspired to become a marine and environmental scientist. Shelton is an Obama Leader, BMW Guam Electrifying Leader, Micronesia Conservation Coalition Tide Changer Educator, and one of 50 Under 40: Emerging Leaders in the Government of Guam. He led the team that earned the University of Guam its designation from NOAA as a Sea Grant Institute in 2022. Shelton works to revive island ecosystems and advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He is the steering committee co-chair of Guam Green Growth (G3), the island’s most comprehensive public-private partnership ever created to achieve a sustainable and prosperous future. Shelton leads projects focused on watershed and coral reef restoration, circular economy, food security, aquaculture, renewable energy, science communication, and building STEM capacity in Pacific Islander communities. Since starting his career at the University of Guam in 2016, Shelton and his collaborators built a portfolio of grants exceeding $54 Million, created more than 60 full-time jobs, provided over 260 paid workforce development experiences, and delivered thousands of community-focused impacts. His service roles include co-chair of the Climate Strong Islands Network, board treasurer of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and trustee for the Micronesia Conservation Trust. Shelton earned a B.S. degree in marine biology from Hawaiʻi Pacific University and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in zoology with a specialization in marine biology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Lieutenant Governor and Co-PI, Guam

Co-PI, Guam

Dr. Cheryl Sangueza is the Co-PI in the Guam Hub NSF Navigating Home. Sangueza’s role includes being a member of the Steering Committee where she attends all alliance level meetings and oversees experience of fellows and Near Peer mentoring.

Sangueza is also an Associate Professor at the University of Guam School of Education. She serves as the Program Chair for the M.Ed in Innovations in Teaching and Learning and also serves on several unit and university level committees such as: curriculum, assessment, student success initiatives, and accreditation.

At the University of Guam, Sangueza is also on grant leadership teams with her role as lead in participant research experiences, Near Peer mentoring, and culture and identity in STEM for high school to early career participants.

Sangueza is deeply committed to designing experiences that illuminate authentic self in science and cultural communities and experiences that cultivate voice and identity in science communication. Sangueza has had the honor of doing so while partnering with the U.S Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as the PI for the Alfred P. Sloan project titled: Addressing the Hidden Curriculum: Strengthening Pathways to STEM Graduate Education and Co-PI and Steering Committee member for the NSF INCLUDES SEAS Islands Alliance, and as the lead for student experiences with Guam EPSCoR.

PI, Puerto Rico

I'm Maria Fernanda, a Latina scientist originally from Colombia. I earned my biology degree with a minor in Entomology from Universidad del Valle before moving to Puerto Rico to pursue my master’s and doctorate in biology at the University of Puerto Rico. Transitioning into academia, I became a professor at various local Puerto Rican universities and am currently affiliated with the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico Metropolitan Campus.

Throughout my career, I've focused on two primary areas: the role of arthropods in ecosystems and student teaching/learning processes, particularly in non-traditional settings. I've cultivated these interests through successful collaborations with communities, scientists, agencies, and institutions both within and outside Puerto Rico.

As a mentor for projects such as Islands Alliance and Navigating Home, I feel privileged to pursue my passions with the support of numerous collaborators. Committed to my mentees, I utilize my skills to support them in achieving their objectives in ways that resonate with them.

Reflecting on my journey, I emphasize the importance of collaboration in STEM careers, which are often perceived as solitary endeavors. I credit collaborations for introducing me to invaluable connections, personal growth opportunities, and impacting my professional trajectory. Through mentoring, I aim to instill in my students the significance of collaboration, encouraging them to embrace this mindset as they progress in their own careers.

Co-PI, Puerto Rico

President, Catalyst Consulting Group

Karen Peterman, PhD, is the President of Catalyst Consulting Group, which serves as the backbone team that supports the Navigating Home project behind the scenes.

Karen and the Catalyst team provide a range of services, including strategic planning and evaluation related to STEM and science communication projects. The team also conducts educational research. Karen’s work has been published in academic journals that span several literatures, including evaluation, informal science, K12 education, public engagement with science, and science communication.

Karen received her Ph.D. in psychology from Duke University in 2002, and has applied those skills to the field of STEM education and communication ever since. She started doing independent consulting work in 2007 and founded Karen Peterman Consulting, Co. (KPC) in 2010, with a focus on STEM education. KPC became Catalyst Consulting Group in 2022.