The Project Terrapin Team
2026 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 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. She is managing multiple studies.
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
SENIOR Research AssistanT
Jordy is a recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island majoring in Marine Biology with a concentration in Wildlife and Conservation Biology. While at school, she completed 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 Jordy loves doing anything outdoors, including hiking, paddle boarding, scuba diving and snowboarding in the winter.
Ms. Isabelle Cleaveland
Research Assistant
Isabelle is a rising junior at the College of William & Mary pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. She does research testing water samples in local waterways for overall indicators of the health of the ecosystem. She is increasingly interested in the intersection of chemistry, biology and environmental science. Growing up going to the Jersey shore and looking forward to learning more about conservation efforts with Diamondback terrapins, Isabelle is so excited to join Project Terrapin this summer!
Ms. Lily Graziano
Research Assistant
Lily is originally from Brick, NJ. Currently, she is a rising junior at Dickinson College studying environmental science and food studies. Outside of academics, she has worked at Jenkinson’s Aquarium for 3 years, where she has been able to closely work with animals and develop knowledge about them. She was interested in joining terrapin conservation work because of her experience working with terrapins at Jenkinson’s Aquarium.
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. Lily Nadler
Research intern
Lily Nadler is a graduating senior at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Ocean County, New Jersey. She has been part of Project Terrapin for four years, working with the Hatchling and Care divisions, and is a leader for Conservation. 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 as she begins her next chapter at the College of New Jersey in the fall!
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. Rhea Dudhwala
Research intern
Rhea has been an active Project Terrapin Conservation branch as a rising Senior 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 that was presented at the 10th Triennial Workshop of the DTWG in October 2025.
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 about terrapins under UV light regimes that was presented at the 10th Triennial DTWG Workshop in October 2025. 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
