The Project Terrapin Team
2025 Summer Research Staff
Project Terrapin supports habitat enhancement throughout the Barnegat Bay watershed. We reach over 6000 people annually. We work with multiple partners including Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, the Terrapin Nesting Project, Stafford Township, Long Beach Township and New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife.
Dr. John Wnek
Research Coordinator
John has worked with terrapins at Island Beach State Park, N. Sedge Island and Cedar Run Dock Road since 2002. He is winding down his career as science supervisor at the MATES School in Manahawkin, and directs terrapin research and the Save Barnegat Bay Student Grant Program. John is working on diamondback terrapin conservation projects as well as mentoring undergraduate and graduate students on various projects related to terrapins, habitats, Climate Change and natural resources at Barnegat Bay, NJ.
Ms. Michele Budd
Holgate Research Coordinator
Michele has been working with diamondback terrapins in conjunction with the Terrapin Nesting Project at LBI and in collaboration with Project Terrapin. She conducts terrapin research in the Holgate section of Beach Haven as coordinator of the Rosema nesting initiative. Michele is a research advisor for the Mordecai Island Land Trust where she conducts wildlife surveys for shore birds and nesting terrapins. Michele is also coordinating research at the Clam Cove Reserve and assessing terrapin nesting at the sand Washover Site in Holgate as part of the reserve.
Ms. Kendal Gray
Research Assistant
Kendal is originally from Saddle River, NJ. She first joined Project Terrapin’s initiative as a freshman at the Peddie School. For three years she served as leader of Peddie’s Project Terrapin hatchling program, deepening her connection and passion for wildlife conservation. Presently, she is a varsity student-athlete on a pre-veterinary medicine track at Hamilton College. She looks forward to expanding upon her prior efforts with Project Terrapin this summer as an intern and as a researcher to aid in Northern Diamondback Terrapin conservation.
Ms. Mae Skrba
Sedge research Coordinator
Mae is a program and internship coordinator with NJ Fish and Wildlife at North Sedge Island. She is an instructor with the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) and a graduate of UNC Wilmington and earned a Masters at Stonybrook University. Mae serves as research coordinator at N. Sedge Island, which will focus on terrapin nest site assessments and mark and recapture of terrapins with the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone. Mae supervises and coordinates undergraduate interns throughout the summer months. Mae is a member of the Project Terrapin Steering Committee.
Ms. Jordy Pedrick
Research AssistnanT
Jordy is a rising Senior at the University of Rhode Island majoring in Marine Biology with a concentration in Wildlife and Conservation Biology. While at school, she recently worked on a research project developing a photo ID tracking database of the Southern Stingrays that migrate to the Cayman Islands. Jordy has grown up spending time on Long Beach Island and is in her second year working with terrapin research. She has a passion for working in marine conservation. Outside her science interests, Jordy loves doing anything outdoors, including hiking, paddle boarding, scuba diving and snowboarding in the winter.
Ms. Ashley Springer
Research Assistant
Ashley is a junior at Colorado State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a concentration in Conservation. Outside of being a student, she is an Admissions Ambassador for CSU and an officer for Xi Sigma Pi, an international honors society for natural resources. Her interests in conservation, specifically in herptiles has only grown since the beginning of her academic career, and she is looking forward to learning more.
Ms. Mary McKenna
Research Assistant
Mary is a Senior at the University of Rhode Island studying Marine Biology, focusing on conservation science. She completed an independent project through Save Barnegat Bay, investigating the dietary composition of Diamondback Terrapin in the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone, with a focus on macro and microplastic presence. Mary is a program director at Sedge Island. She is passionate about research and outdoor education, and hopes to continue a career involving marine ecology and food web dynamics.
Ms. Kalie Devaney
Research Assistant
Kalie recently graduated from Stockton University and is completing her capstone project on the population of terrapins at Tuckerton, NJ. Being a Sedge Island intern alumni, she fell in love with the terrapins during her time on the island. She was drawn to terrapin conservation and will be completing her project by assisting with mark and recapture of terrapins, and community awareness.
Ms. Isabella Morgan
Research intern
Isabella has been involved in all divisions of Project Terrapin for the past three years of her MATES career, and has been selected as Events Division leader and coordinator this past year. Isabella has multifarious research skill sets in field work, specializing in microbiology. She uses her research experiences to teach underclassmen and better her own studies for future projects. Wishing to pursue a career in biochemistry, Isabella is grateful for the opportunity to expand her knowledge in marine studies and be a part of this wonderful team!
Ms. Emma Cuber
Research intern
Emma is a rising sophomore at MATES. She is an equestrian, and plays piano. She is a part of the Care Division for MATES Project Terrapin. She also enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, playing with her dogs, and reading. Overall, she is grateful for this amazing opportunity and what she’ll learn!
Ms. Alexandra Kanterezhi-Gatto
Research intern
Alexandra will be a part of the MATES summer internship program in the 2025 summer season fulfilling her love for observing animals and their interactions with the environment. For fun she enjoys spending time with her brother actively playing sports and taking nature walks with her friends! Overall, she is so excited for an upcoming, adventurous journey through this internship!
Ms. Finn Ecke
Research intern
Finn is a senior at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science in Manahawkin, NJ. She has been a part of Project Terrapin for three years, specializing in the Care Division, and as a Conservation leader. With two years of research experience, she also has knowledge of data collection and analysis. In her free time, she enjoys sculpting, volunteering, playing sports, and taking nature walks. As an avid supporter of marine life, she plans to pursue college programs in environmental science and research. Briana is ecstatic to be a part of the team!
Ms. Lily Nadler
Research intern
Lily Nadler is a junior at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Ocean County, New Jersey. She has been part of project terrapin for two years, working with the Hatchling and Care divisions, and is a leader for Conservation. She has done research for two years in Botany and Environmental Sciences. She enjoys playing field hockey, lacrosse and reading. She loves to volunteer, especially at Beach Plum Festival and Ocean Fun Day at Island Beach State Park. She plans to pursue a career in medicine and hopes to become a doctor in the future. She is so excited to be part of Project Terrapin!
Ms. Rhea Dudhwala
Research intern
Rhea has been an active Project Terrapin Conservation branch member in her sophomore year at MATES and volunteers at many events. She is also involved in many MATES clubs and is a student researcher studying terrapin hatchlings. She completed a research project on the behavior of terrapin hatchlings in response to the magnetic field.
Ms. Isabel Kopsaftis
Research intern
Isabel is an active member and leader in project terrapin and assisted within the conservation branch, and she completed an independent research project under UV light regimes. Isabel consistently volunteers for events and is an active member of other clubs and sports at MATES and her home school.
Ms. Arushi Sood
Research intern
Arushi is a junior at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science in Stafford Township, New Jersey. She is involved in the Project Terrapin Hatchlings Division, and she has been active in Project Terrapin for two years. Moreover, she was chosen as a Hatchlings Headstart Assistant in the Hatchlings Division. She has two years of research experience and has learned quite a bit about the process of analyzing and collecting. Some activities she loves to do are playing the piano, volunteering, playing video games, bike riding, and hanging out with friends. She is currently leaning towards the medical field, but she is still discovering what peaks her interest.
Ms. Isabella Sadsad
Research intern
Isabella is currently a junior at at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science. She is an involved member of the Hatchlings, Outreach, and Conservation Divisions of Project Terrapin. Additionally, she is secretary of the MATES Robotics Team; and is a former courtroom artist on the Mock Trial team. Her hobbies include (but are not limited to) arachnology, playing the violin and ukulele, lifting, and drawing. Isabella is an aspiring lawyer but is also an avid enjoyer of science. Working with terrapins has been an exciting experience that she hopes to continue and expand her knowledge on.
Ms. Serena Celestino
Program Coordinator Emeritus
Serena is a Barnegat, NJ native, and loves spending her spare time exploring the wetlands. She is a graduate of Rutgers University double majoring in Ecology & Evolution and Geology. She has published in paleoecology for research on a Jurassic aged clam bed. She worked with the Nature Conservancy and American Littoral Society. Serena continues working with us on special projects that tie science, art and better understanding together to promote our terrapin conservation initiatives.
Volunteers Extrodinaire
