Meet the Team
Dr. Natalie Nevárez
Chief Organizational Development Officer
natalie.nevarez@whoi.edu
(508) 289-2699
Dr. Natalie Nevárez is an Organizational Development (OD) leader and scholar known for her strategic, data-informed approach to improving workplace culture and institutional effectiveness in academic and research environments. In August 2021, she was appointed Chief Organizational Development Officer (CODO). Natalie earned her Ph.D. in Biopsychology (Behavioral Neuroscience) from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. During her time at both institutions, she played a key leadership role in coordinating large-scale, community-focused initiatives.
Prior to joining WHOI, Natalie served as the Associate Director for Faculty Diversity and Development at Columbia University, Faculty Arts & Sciences, and as Development Manager for the Fellowship for the Future for the science non-profit 500 Women Scientists-a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering women scientists to serve as leaders and advocates in their communities.
Reporting directly to the President and Director, Natalie is responsible for fostering a healthy, dynamic, and supportive work place environment where all WHOI community members can grow and thrive.
Dr. Jennifer Almeda-Garrett
Organizational Development Coordinator
jennifer.almeda@whoi.edu
(803) 687-1490
Jennifer draws upon a wide depth and breadth of practical and theoretical knowledge and experience to serve as the Organizational Development Coordinator. Jennifer obtained a PhD in International Relations from the University of South Carolina (SC), a Masters of Divinity at Allen University, a MS in International Business and a MA in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University, and a BA in International Studies from Saint Elizabeth University. Previous positions include serving as the Regional Health Equity and Inclusion Director at the SC Department of Public Health (PH), the PH Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director at the former SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, an Academic Program Manager at the SC Commission on Higher Education, and State Director of the Title I, Part C Education of Migratory Children/Youth program at the SC Department of Education. Jennifer also has experience as an outreach worker, interpreter/translator, undergraduate adjunct professor, Peace Corps Volunteer, and tour guide at the United Nations headquarters.
Reporting to Dr. Natalie Nevárez, Chief Organizational Development Officer, Jennifer is responsible for organizational and operational support to the Office to foster a culture of connection, community, and engagement for all at WHOI.
Dr. Julie Huber
Senior Scientist, Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry
jhuber@whoi.edu
Julie is a Senior Scientist in the Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department working to advance knowledge of the deep ocean. She is interested in how basic earth processes- rocks forming, fluids moving, sediments accumulating- interact to create and maintain microbial life in the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean. Julie has led and participated in ocean expeditions around the world using deep submergence technology, and she also enjoys mentoring the next generation of scientist and communicating their work to others. Through these efforts and her work with the CWED she hopes to make her lab, WHOI, and the fields of ocean science and engineering more welcoming to all.
Tom Bell
Assistant Scientist, Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering
tbell@whoi.edu
Tom Bell is a scientist at WHOI specializing in the remote sensing of coastal ecosystems and investigating how changes in the physical environment affect the dynamics of these systems. He is committed to translating foundational research into actionable knowledge that supports ecosystem restoration and sustainable fisheries. As co-chair of CWED, he works to promote participation and collaboration in initiatives that support a positive workplace environment. Tom is also deeply committed to education and training, particularly at the undergraduate level. He currently serves as a faculty mentor for the NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP), where he leads the oceans research group. In addition, he is the co-creator of the Coastal-Heartland Exchange, an NSF-funded program that introduces ocean research and technologies to students who lack access to such opportunities at their home institutions.
Christi de Leon
Manager of Data Analytics & HRIS Systems, People Operations
christiana.deleon@whoi.edu
Christi is an accomplished HRIS professional with over 20 years of experience in HR system optimization. Christi uses a data focused approach to collect and extract key metrics to understand workplace behavior and optimize the employee experience. Committed to fostering growth for all, Christi works with WHOI's Office of Organizational Development to provide relevant metrics to further data-driven agency development strategy. Christi is currently completing a BS in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Phoenix. Christi can be reached at christiana.deleon@whoi.edu. For data requests, please contact both Christi de Leon and Natalie Nevarez (natalie.nevarez@whoi.edu)
Marney Rathbun
Chaplaincy at WHOI
marney.rathbun@whoi.edu
It is the mission of WHOI’s chaplain to nurture the well-being and belonging of all WHOI employees, students, and affiliates and to support their spiritual growth. While chaplaincy upholds that spirituality is a central experience to our lives, it does not suggest that spirituality is the same as religion. Instead, chaplaincy seek to support people on their individual paths toward wholeness and peace, whatever that may mean to them. With this understanding, the chaplain provides 1:1 confidential counseling to WHOI staff and affiliates to address issues both personal and work-related, while also providing group space for meditation and bereavement. The chaplain is a resource to people of all religious and non-religious backgrounds and is available in-person and online by appointment.
Marney Rathbun has served as WHOI’s interfaith chaplain since 2023. Prior to this appointment, she worked as a substance abuse counselor and teacher in Massachusetts and New York. She received her B.A. from Smith College and her M.F.A. from New York University and is currently completing her M.Div. at Harvard. Marney’s writing has appeared in Kenyon Review, West Branch, Salt Hill Journal, Iterant, and elsewhere. She is originally from Cape Cod where she now lives with her wife and their two cats.
The chaplain’s office is on the main floor of Clark in office 236A and appointments can be made by emailing marney.rathbun@whoi.edu.
Learn more about some of the initiatives supported by the Chaplain:
- Grief Support: meets from 4-4:45 p.m. every Wednesday inside the Carriage House
- Mindfulness Group: meets 12-12:30 p.m., every Wednesday on the Carriage House porch (no experience necessary, just bring weather-appropriate attire!)
Dr. Joel Llopiz
Doherty Chair in Education to serve as Faculty Advisor 2024-2025
jllopiz@whoi.edu
Joel is a trophic ecologist and oceanographer with an integrative focus on fish and zooplankton. Through his research, he seeks to unravel the mysteries of oceanic food webs and their resilience to environmental change. At sea, in the lab, and in the marine science community at large, Joel centers the importance of diversity in natural ecosystems and among human scientists. Broadening participation in ocean sciences through inclusive recruitment and community building is a priority for Joel's collective science and outreach work. In Fall 2023 Joel was appointed Doherty Chair in Education: Faculty Advisor for 2024-2025. Joel leads an innovative program of WHOI Ambassadors aimed at increasing awareness of WHOI's work and recruitment to WHOI. You can contact Joel at jllopiz@whoi.edu with cc to Martha Hauff mhauff@whoi.edu.
Leslie Jonas
Tribal Liaison
triballiaison@whoi.ed
Leslie Jonas, a native Cape Codder and eel clan member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, is an experienced senior planning and grants development strategist. She is a founding board officer of the Native Land Conservancy, the first native-led land conservation trust east of the Mississippi, focusing on indigenous land rescue and conservation, stewardship , and cultural preservation. Leslie's work spans nationally advocating for environmental justice and indigenous perspectives on climate change. Currently, she supports NOAA, NSF and EPA funded grants research at WHOI, while also engaging in education and advocacy through UMASS Boston, Harvard, MIT, and the Conservation Law Foundation. She is the first Mashpee Wampanoag advisory commissioner for the Cape Cod National Seashore and holds a BA from Emerson College, a Master's in Community Economic Development, and DEI certification from Cornell University.
Leslie also serves as WHOI's inaugural Tribal Liaison, fostering relationships between WHOI and Indigenous communities to promote collaboration in marine science and conservation. In her role, Leslie supports the development of authentic community engagement through communication and collaboration with tribal communities. Leslie can provide guidance to research endeavors that engage tribal communities and help educators and scientists incorporate traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into their work.
For inquiries or to connect with Leslie, please email triballiaison@whoi.edu. You can reach Leslie directly at leslie.jonas@whoi.edu.
For Tribal Liaison Support and Project Requests, please fill out this form: Tribal Liaison Support Request Form.
Dr. Casey Thornbrugh
Indigenous Knowledge Program (IKP) Consultant
casey@justcollective.net
Dr. Casey Thornbrugh is a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and a geographer with a background in climate science and American Indian Studies. His passion is creating and implementing culturally-responsive education and service programs and he currently serves as the co-founder with his wife Sarah, for Just Collective, a small business network of leaders, professionals, advocates, and specialists committed to leveraging their expertise to advance equity and resilience. Casey has over 15 years of experience working for Tribal Nations, including Tribal colleges and Tribal non-profits, providing climate adaptation technical support, teaching, grant writing, and program management. Casey previously served as a Climate Program Manager and Tribal Climate Science Liaison for United South and Eastern Tribes Inc. (USET) in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Community Resilience Branch (BIA-TCR) and the Northeast and Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Centers (NE/SE CASC). In this role, he worked with agencies and departments of Tribal Nations to provide climate science information, identify climate research needs and priorities, and offer climate adaptation planning support. Casey also served as a co-author on the Fifth National Climate Assessment – Northeast Chapter.
Past CWED Chairs
Ben Weiss, Catherine Walker, Gwyneth Packard, Joel Llopiz, and Kayleah Griffen
Office Alumni
Alexandra Padilla, WHOI URGE Postdoctoral Scholar, Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering