Ohio Office Staff

Lindsey Christ, Executive Director

Lindsey Christ, Executive Director

Lindsey Christ, Executive Director

I am no stranger to IFS or Forfar!  I first visited Forfar as a high school student and then again in college to do the Christmas Bird count.  My time on Andros was transformative and I am thrilled to work for IFS and continue to push forward our field study programs and reach new students and new audiences. 

I have been working for non-profit organizations in the field of environmental education and outreach since 1997.  I have BS degree from UNC-Asheville in Environmental Studies and a MS degree from the University of Florida in Interdisciplinary Ecology.  I conducted my master’s research in Brazil on plant-animal interactions and biological control of invasive species. I taught Biology, Botany, and Environmental Science at Columbus State Community College for nearly 5 years. I have been in non-profit management since 2003 and was the former Executive Director of Keep Franklin County Beautiful, Inc. and Camp Wyandot, Inc. 


katelyn mckee, program coordinator

Katelyn McKee, Program Coordinator

I am from Delaware, Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University in 2022 with a Biology degree. I enjoy spending my time hiking, birding, camping, and hanging out with friends and family. I previously held internships at Stratford Ecological Center and Ohio Department of Natural Resources where I had the opportunity to pursue my love for the outdoors and environmental education. 

My time at Forfar was one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my life. I made lifelong friends and am so thankful to have been able to explore the beauty of Andros. I am excited to coordinate trips for future students and watch them fall in love with the island just as much as I did. 


lindsay james, marketing coordinator

Lindsay James, Marketing Coordinator

Prior to coming on board with the team at IFS, I lived in Portland, Oregon where I was the program manager for Synergo. I planned and coordinated a variety of youth and adult experiential education programs on challenge courses. I truly value a program which takes a group away from their traditional routine and offers them an on-site experience that can transform how they view the world around them and those in it.

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio so it is nice to be back home. I love to spend time traveling, cooking and being outdoors with my two children, husband and our dog. I am so excited to join the IFS team, and I look forward to supporting our office staff and connecting with the Forfar community.


Forfar Field Station Staff

ian connolly, station director

Ian Connolly, Station Director

I am a conservationist who has been working across the world in both the terrestrial and marine realms. I graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc in Geography and a MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation, before continuing with my research on the relationship between human cultural diversity and biodiversity around the globe.

I then moved onto work for a variety of non-profits. In the UK, I worked with Fauna and Flora as their corporate sustainability intern, before moving to Peru to work as a professional interchange researcher for the Crees foundation. I joined the language endangerment non-profit CELCE as a research assistant before moving to Mexico to run an u18 marine ecology program for Global Vision International. All of this experience working with people all over the globe led me towards IFS, where I am delighted and excited to be the Field Station Director at Forfar!

Certifications: PADI Rescue Diver, Emergency First Responder (EFR), Wilderness First Aid, Mental Health First Aid


michelle wallace, environmental educator

Michelle Wallace, Environmental Educator

Originally from Southern California, I recently graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in Marine Biology and minors in Environmental Studies and Media Studies. My interests lie within ecology, scuba diving, field work and education. I’ve grown up with a love of the outdoors, as well as partaking in educational volunteer work, whether it was through schools or aquariums.

In 2017, I began working through my PADI certifications and finished my Divemaster in 2022. When I moved to the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, I took courses ranging from Invertebrate Zoology to Marine Ecology. Upon graduating, this past summer I earned my AAUS Scientific Diving Certification through Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University, further affirming my love for scuba diving and field work.

All of these experiences have solidified my aspirations of becoming an educator, whether that be above or below water. I am beyond ecstatic to work with the incoming students and participants, as well as live, learn and grow at Forfar this next year! 

Certifications: PADI Divemaster, AAUS Scientific Diver, PADI Enriched Air Diver, DAN Diving First Aid for Professional Divers, Boating License


Caitlin Morganson, Environmental Educator

Caitlin Morganson, Environmental Educator

Hailing from the far north of Edmonton, Canada I have found myself here on the beautiful island of Andros for the next adventure. I have always been fascinated by nature and pursued this passion by obtaining by Animal Biology degree. A small but fun detour I took in my career was becoming a marine mammal trainer at Marine Life, where I learned much about animal behaviour and the importance of conservation and education.

This summer I had the opportunity to go to the remote dry forest of Madagascar as a volunteer coordinator where I gave lectures about the local wildlife and research that were taking part of. I enjoy being in the field, getting creative and looking for new insects to photograph. I want to share my passion for wildlife by spreading awareness and curiosity for the natural world with others. I am excited to meet and connect with the all the participants this coming year!

Certifications: SSI Open Water, First Aid and CPR C


Robert Saltz, Environmental Educator/Dive Operations Manager

Robert Saltz, Environmental Educator/Dive Operations Manager

I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and Ecology from the University of Miami through their Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS). Throughout my four years at UM, I also worked as a PADI SCUBA instructor and an aquarium dive specialist. I have always tried to instill a love and respect for the ocean and its inhabitants in the people I certify.

I became obsessed with nature and being outside when I was a little kid. As I grew up my passion for outdoor activities and sports developed. I try to make time to go paddleboarding, biking, and hiking as much as possible. I also love kayaking and diving for fun too of course. When I can I do longer trips to go backpacking and camping. I think that connecting people with nature in a responsible and sustainable way is key to for showing people what is worth protecting and fighting for.

Certifications: PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, EFR Certified CPR Instructor (Infant/Child/Adult), EFR Certified AED Instructor (Infant/Child/Adult), EFR Certified First Aid Instructor (Infant/Child/Adult), Wilderness First Aid Certified, DAN First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer Certified, Mental Health First Aid


Kate Lochridge, Environmental Educator

Kate Lochridge, Environmental Educator

Growing up in the state of Ohio, I got to experience the wonder of the Great Lakes firsthand. When I visited my relatives near the ocean, my love of the natural world expanded and my curiosity about connections between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems grew. My interest in ecology was solidified when I visited Forfar Field Station in high school. I knew I wanted to return as an intern one day, and five years after my visit, that dream is becoming a reality.

I attended college at Bowling Green State University, where I earned BAs in Biology and Art. My interdisciplinary experiences in labs and studios cultivated deeper curiosity in the world around me. For three years I researched the impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Lake Erie as well as relationships between giant kelp productivity and epifauna coverage off the coast of California. My lab work with HABs inspired me to develop methods for turning algae biomass into paint pigment and led to my selection as a NOAA Ernest F. Hollings intern in Alaska. There, I created a body of artwork that communicated causes, effects, and implications of sea level change. I interacted with hundreds of people and discovered that education and empowerment are the most important factors to influencing positive and sustainable environmental change. This lesson helped me when I joined the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium volunteer team, where I worked as a scuba diver and interacted with visitors regularly.

Certifications: CPR, first aid, O2, rescue diver, advanced open water SCUBA


Derek McKinney, Environmental Educator

Derek McKinney, Environmental Educator

I was born and raised in Canton Ohio with a love for all things marine related. In high school, I got the opportunity to visit Forfar Field Station as a student where I had the experience of a lifetime. This lead me to pursue that passion at Bowling Green State University with a degree in Biology & Environmental Conservation. Now I have the opportunity to apply what I have learned over the years as a team member this season!

Throughout navigating my courses in college, I found that I had a love for my science classes the most. I enjoyed gaining knowledge in the field as well as teaching others different techniques in a class setting. I became an intern for the CDC tracking West Nile virus in North West Ohio for my last two years of college. This helped me learn to work in a team environment as well as gain experience in a lab/field setting. Forfar is a great way to gain both experiences and I'm excited to teach others along the way!

Certifications: First Aid, CPR, and O2


Renaye Burrows, Environmental Educator

Renaye Burrows, Environmental Educator

I attended Forfar last January as a Gap Year student to expand my knowledge about marine life and sciences. They had always fascinated me since a young age. Growing up in The Bahamas has given me a love for the oceans and always left me asking questions. I loved how the ocean was so deep that not a lot of people had discovered the majority of it. I loved how there was possibility after possibility of so many things that I just needed to know more so I applied to Forfar.

I’ve helped tutor young people about ways to help lessen the trauma of pollution that happens to oceans and land. I’ve also helped in planting mangroves with non-profit organizations and cleaned beaches.

Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Sea Kayaking level 2


James Bryce, Environmental Educator

James Bryce, Environmental Educator

Growing up in Edmonton, Canada I developed a keen interest in wildlife, and even though I didn't have a lot of access to the ocean, I became passionate about the mystery of the depths. Following the passion for wildlife, I did a Bsc in Biology at Concordia University of Edmonton where I graduated in 2022.

After graduating, I have worked as an animal care staff at Marine Life, where I grew my knowledge on animals and how important public education can be for conservation. I have also done multiple volunteer expeditions in the Caribbean, twice in Akumal Mexico where I helped with data collection on the conservation efforts with the resident sea turtle population, and once in Dominica where I helped collect data on natural ocean acidification that could be used to demonstrate the potential impact of ocean acidification. Through this internship with IFS, I hope to expand my own knowledge base and share what I can with others on the wonders of our planet and inspire others towards conservation of our planet for the future.

Certifications: PADI rescue Diver, First Aid and CPR


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Ricardo Riley

Facilities Director/Boat Captain

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Cordell Riley          

Landscaper

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Randal Riley               

Facilities/Boat Captain


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Franklin Riley               

 Landscaper/Boat Captain

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Shaneal Johnson

Housekeeping Staff

Kara Riley

Housekeeping Staff


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Doramae Scott

Kitchen Staff

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Catherine White

Kitchen Staff

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Portia Riley

Kitchen Staff           

Kim Woodside

Kitchen Staff 


Visit intlfieldstudies.org/employment for employment opportunities.