Marine Research Hub appoints new executive director

The Marine Research Hub (MRH) announced that Katherine O’Fallon has been appointed executive director following the 501(c)(3) being awarded state funding secured by State Representative Chip LaMarca earlier this year. Most recently, O’Fallon served as Marine Magnet Coordinator at New River Middle School where she successfully oversaw the implementation of curriculum in the classrooms, developed marketing strategies, and built partnerships within the community to create field experiences for her students that expanded their marine science education. 

Phil Purcell, CEO/President of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and Vice President of the Board of MRH, said, “Katie sees the opportunity for all that the Marine Research Hub can do in solidifying South Florida as the global leader in the oceanographic space, commercializing and monetizing the research being done in the blue economy.”

O’Fallon grew up in Minnesota before receiving her degree in Marine Biology from LIU Southampton in New York. She then began her career working as a marine biologist in Curacao which solidified her love for marine science. In 2002, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL and pursued her master’s in marine science and education at Nova Southeastern University. In 2006, she also began teaching marine science at New River Middle School (NRMS). From there she transitioned to become the Marine Magnet Coordinator and played a pivotal role as NRMS became a National Certified Magnet School in 2018 and was recognized for 6 years in a row as a Magnet School of Distinction.

“Stepping into this new role is extremely exciting,” she says, “I am looking forward to connecting academic research at universities and the business community to create jobs and solutions to a wide range of opportunities in the blue economy.”

Source: https://boatingindustry.com/news/2022/10/25/marine-research-hub-appoints-new-executive-director/