Meet our new project coordinator, Dr. Gretchen Grebe!

October 16, 2020

Gretchen Grebe is passionate about working with businesses and communities to develop sustainable ecological aquaculture. She holds a Ph.D. in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources from the University of Maine. Her dissertation research explored the rise in kelp farms in Maine and opportunities for improved farm siting and management. Grebe conducted this research in collaboration with the Byron Marine Ecology Lab at the University of New England and the Brady Lab at the University of Maine. While at UMaine, she was a graduate research fellow in Maine EPSCoR’s Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network (SEANET).

Prior to beginning her doctorate studies, Grebe held positions as a watershed scientist for Lotic Hydrological in Colorado and the feed program director for a marine non-profit organization in Baja California Sur, Mexico. In the latter role, she collaborated with fishing communities to develop small businesses based in marine aquaculture and recapture of fisheries waste. Grebe has roots in place-based and experiential education which she has applied as an environmental educator with NatureBridge and high school biology teacher for the High School High Scholars program at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School. In Maine she has volunteered as a guest aquaculture educator with the Island Institute’s Kelp for Kids Program and as a visiting researcher at the Hurricane Island Foundation. A new venture specialist, Gretchen has also supported the launch of multiple education programs and start-ups.

Grebe has a M.S. from the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UCSB where she specialized in Water Resources Management and Eco-Entrepreneurship and has a B.A. in Latin American and Environmental Studies from Bates College. A Colorado native and avid adventurer, Gretchen spends much of her free time exploring outside.