Diversity Sessions

Matthew Harwell

Supervisory Ecologist, U.S. EPA, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Office of Research and Development, Newport, OR

Dr. Harwell is a Supervisory Ecologist at the Pacific Ecological Systems Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Newport, Oregon USA. Matt has spent 25 years working on restoration science in multiple systems including Chesapeake Bay, Lake Okeechobee, South Florida and the Greater Everglades, and soon, the Pacific Northwest. Matt’s areas of specialization include ecosystem assessment, integration and communication of science for decision makers, adaptive management, and ecosystem restoration. Matt has been involved with the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration since its inaugural year in 2004. Matt has a B.S. in Biology from University of South Florida and a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences (College of William and Mary). Matt is a foundational member of LERS.

Levi Steele Lewis

Principal Investigator, Otolith Geochemistry and Fish Ecology Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA

Dr. Levi Steele Lewis is PI of the Otolith Geochemistry and Fish Ecology Laboratory at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Lewis specializes in trophic interactions, biodiversity, and community ecology of fishes, invertebrates, and algae. He attained his B.S. at UC Davis, M.S. at San Diego State University, and Ph.D. at Scripps Institution of Oceanography-UC San Diego. He has published work in a variety of systems including salt marshes, pelagic estuaries, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. He is trained and experienced in fish, invertebrate, and algal survey methods and taxonomy; otolith chemistry and imaging; scientific scuba diving and boating; nutrient and chlorophyll analysis; stable isotope analysis; and experimental design and statistics. Levi’s current projects in the Biogeochemistry and Fish Ecology Laboratory include: reconstruction of the life histories of fishes using otolith geochemistry, evaluating the impacts of environmental change on fish growth and phenology, and comparative assessment and analysis of fish communities in estuarine habitats throughout the San Francisco Estuary.

Chanda Littles

Coastal Ecologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Portland District, Portland, OR

Chanda Littles is a coastal ecologist with an interest in applied research and projects that inform coastal resource management and environmental stewardship. She received her B.S. from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Florida. Chanda’s research and professional experiences have spanned population biology, wetland policy and regulation, coastal ecosystem services, and ecosystem monitoring and modeling. In her current position with the Corps of Engineers – Portland District, she works on interdisciplinary teams to ensure coastal Civil Works projects minimize adverse effects to environmental resources and also serves as the Science Lead for the District’s Estuary Program. Under the Columbia Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Program (CEERP), Dr. Littles works with federal partners, researchers, restoration practitioners, and project sponsors to assess ways to improve habitat conditions for juvenile salmonids and other species in the Lower Columbia River Estuary. She helps identify and address emerging uncertainties, while seeking opportunities to share CEERP lessons learned across other Corps mission areas.

Jennifer Owen-White

Manager, Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, NM

Jennifer is Manager of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She was Director of Education for the Science Spectrum Museum, a Park Naturalist, a Natural Resource Specialist and a Regional Interpretive Specialist for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Jennifer was also Refuge Manager for Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and the Visitor Service Manager for the South Texas Refuge complex in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. She was one of six Refuge Managers across the United States selected to participate in an international birding conservation effort with China. A certified interpretive host and trainer, Jennifer is active with the National Association for Interpretation, and was recognized as the region’s Sense of Wonder recipient for her contributions to the National Interpretation and Environmental Education Vision Implementation Team. Valle de Oro (one of the first “urban refuges” in the U.S.) was previously the site of a dairy farm, but now Jennifer leads volunteers in documenting when native cottonwoods bud in an attempt to restore the natural landscape.

Benita Bannis

Assistant Director, UF/IFAS International Support Team (IIST), UF/IFAS Office of the Dean for Research, Gainesville, FL

Benita Bannis, Ed.S. is the Assistant Director of the UF/IFAS International Support Team (IIST) at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) in Gainesville Florida.

As the leader of the IIST, Benita leverages over ten years of experience supporting over $100 million in research, extension, and teaching activity to provide training, guidance, and representation to UF/IFAS faculty, staff, and administration regarding international collaboration and engagement. UF/IFAS is home to dynamic and innovative international projects, including major USAID awards that, together, touch three continents. The IIST provides financial, administrative, compliance expertise to ensure that UF/IFAS is well equipped to further its collaborative efforts across the globe. Using a collaborative approach, Benita leads her team to create systems of support that bridge the gap between students, faculty, administration, staff, and international partners.

Benita is a triple Gator, earning her Bachelor's degree (Political Science; minor: African Studies), Master's degree (the Counselor Education), and Specialist's degree (Counselor Education- Marriage and Family Therapy) at the University of Florida. Over her 18-year career, she has consistently specialized in issues related to cultural diversity in professional, community, and educational settings. Her research, training, and scholarly interests focus on education, equity, persistence, and developing a psychological sense of community, particularly among people of African descent. In addition, Benita demonstrates her interests through a commitment to volunteerism, particularly in advising non-profit organizations and by creating, managing, and facilitating unique programs underscoring the importance of health, community engagement, leadership, and culturally responsive education.

Code of Conduct

We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. Suggestive statements, sexual inuendo, or offensive remarks are not appropriate during any activity, including during talks, poster sessions, workshops, social functions, after hours parties, or via Twitter or other online media. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Those violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled without a refund at the discretion of the organizers. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns about participant behavior, please notify the organizers immediately.