Faculty and Staff

At the heart of the AIO program is an experienced and qualified core of educators trained in the field of oceanography. These are classroom teachers, practicing scientists, and researchers — many with advanced graduate degrees. The student to instructor ratio is approximately four to one. Other staff members include a full-time nurse, a professional chef, recreation coordinator, and interns.

Meet the 2023 AIO Staff!

Sheryl Christy Gilmore

Position at AIO: Executive Director
I’ve worked at AIO: 40 years… time flies when you’re having fun!
I’m from… Michigan
Right now I live in… Michigan and Maine and Florida
My favorite area of study is… Everything!

Jim Gilmore

Position at AIO: Associate Directer
I’ve worked at AIO: 31 years
I’m from… Illinois
Right now I live in… Michigan and Florida
My favorite area of study is… Documentary film

Kathy Dubbs

Position at AIO: Co-Director of Programs
I’ve worked at AIO: 34 years
I’m from… Michigan
Right now I live in… Texas
My favorite area of study is… Geology and Biology

Timothy Dubbs

Position at AIO: Co-Director of Programs
I’ve worked at AIO: 29 years
I’m from… Texas
Right now I live in… Texas, of course!
My favorite area of study is… Geology and Physical Oceanography

Matt Lubicky

Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 20 years
I’m from… Illinois
Right now I live in… New Jersey
My favorite area of study is… Marine Ecology

Chris Cayo

Position at AIO: Recreation Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: 14 years
I’m from… Miami, Florida
Right now I live in… Miami, Florida
My favorite area of study is… Fishing

Alicia Navarrete

Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 10 years
I’m from… Rochester, New York
Right now I live in… Moorestown, New Jersey
My favorite area of study is… cultural anthropology

Caroline Moore

Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 9 years
I’m from… Massachusetts
Right now I live in… Winter Harbor, Maine
My favorite area of study is… Ecology and Citizen Science

Bruce Stephen

Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 14 years
I’m from… Lincoln, Nebraska
Right now I live in… Lincoln, Nebraska… after many years spent in other parts of the country
My favorite area of study is… Language and culture

Rosalind Bailey

Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 1st summer
I’m from… Vermont
Right now I live in… Rhode Island
My favorite area of study is… studying coral conservation and how climate change affects our coastal communities

Emily Shopland

Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 5 years
I’m from… East Hardwick, Vermont
Right now I live in… Saco, Maine
My favorite area of study is… cetacean behavior

Akiva Garfield

Position at AIO: Teacher of Oceanography
I’ve worked at AIO: 3rd summer
I’m from… Oneonta, NY
Right now I live in… New Paltz, NY
My favorite area of study is… Geology and Astronomy

Grace Gilmore

Position at AIO: Head Cook
I’ve worked at AIO: many years
I’m from… Michigan
Right now I live in… New Jersey
My favorite area of study is… Alicia Navarette

Griffin Gilmore

Position at AIO: Chef
I’ve worked at AIO: 8
I’m from… Maine
Right now I live in… Michigan
My favorite area of study is… Japanese Language

Steven Gourley

Position at AIO: Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: 2nd year
I’m from… McDonough, Georgia
Right now I live in… Hattiesburg Mississippi
My favorite area of study is… Marine mammals

Pam Shelton, RN

Position at AIO: Nurse
I’ve worked at AIO: 12 years
I’m from… Maine
Right now I live in… Portland, Maine
My favorite area of study is… Sailing

William Lurz

Position at AIO: Intern Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: 1 year
I’m from… Brooklyn, New York
Right now I live in… Miami, Florida
My favorite area of study is… Marine Biology and Policy

Lucy Cumming

Position at AIO: Intern Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: First summer
I’m from… North Greenish, NY
Right now I live in... Mystic, Connecticut
My favorite area of study is… Stories!

Natalia Sawicka

Position at AIO: Intern Staff
I’ve worked at AIO: 1 year
I’m from… Newton, Massachusetts
Right now I live in… Boston, Massachusetts
My favorite area of study is… cetacean biology, ecology and behavior, particularly humpbacks!