Jay Penniman: Project Manager
Jay Penniman earned a B.S. at Portland State University (Oregon) in 1977. He has worked as an independent contractor doing forestry, wildlife and vegetation surveys, management and assessment. At the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, he was employed as a biologist on South East Farallon Island, 26 miles west of San Francisco. There he was a member of the team of biologists who ran the remote research station monitoring 13 breeding bird species and 4 marine mammal species. He also performed at-sea surveys for seabirds and marine mammals in the near and offshore waters of the northwest coast of North America. Since 2006 he has worked for the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawaii managing the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project. When not recovering and rescuing seabirds Jay enjoys bird watching, reading, gardening, cooking and walking.
Jay Penniman with a White-tailed Tropicbird chick
Jenni Learned: Operations/GIS Specialist
Jenni is a broad-spectrum ecologist with experience working across diverse environments. Before joining the Maui Nui Seabird team, she facilitated laboratory and field based research at universities and in private industry. Her bird history includes monitoring shorebirds on the eastern seaboard and endangered flycatchers in the desert southwest, and she is thrilled to contribute to the conservation of seabirds in Hawai’i. Jenni has Master’s degrees in both biology and GIS, and integrates spatial analyses and database management with sound, fundamental science to support the team. In her free time she’ll hike, read, travel, or just wander around and collect rocks and plants. She loves the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon and continues her pursuit to complete all of its named trails and routes (and whatever unnamed ones she may come across).
Cece Frisinger: Operations/GIS Specialist
Cece was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado and earned her bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado. She spent several field seasons monitoring nesting sea turtles in North Carolina and Georgia before moving to Hawaiʻi in 2019, where she joined the MNSRP – first as a Kupu and then as a Field Biologist. After three years in Hawaiʻi, she relocated to the Pacific Northwest to study the Marbled Murrelet and pursue an M.S. degree in Sustainable Forest Management with a graduate certificate in GIScience from Oregon State University. Upon completing her master’s, she returned to the MNSRP as their Operations/GIS Specialist, applying her experience in research, data management, and fieldwork to continue supporting the team’s conservation goals.
Laura Navarrete: Field Biology Technician
Laura received her BS in Evolutionary Anthropology from Duke University where she was introduced to conservation and avian ecology in Hawaiʻi during a transformative internship with the USFWS on Kauaʻi through the DukeEngage program. There she gained valuable experience in wildlife monitoring, invasive species management, and environmental education. It sparked her passion for the conservation of Hawaiʻi’s bioculturally significant seabird and wetland bird species for their role in balancing the native ecosystem, and their importance to the people of Hawaiʻi. Following this, Laura participated in the Kupu Aina Corps Program with the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, where she further developed her skills in field operations and avian conservation strategies, paving the way for her role as a technician with the MFBRP Mosquito Research and Control team. With a passion for conservation, and deep respect of Maui’s native species, places, and knowledgeable conservation community, Laura is excited to continue her career in conservation by contributing to MNSRP’s mission of safeguarding Hawaiʻi’s unique seabird populations and natural habitats.
Cheryl King: Seabird Biology Technician
Cheryl King has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in biology/psychology from Southampton College of Long Island University and a Master’s of Science degree in marine biology from Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center. Being on research teams in South Carolina, New York, Florida, Costa Rica, The Caribbean, Belize, Australia, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Cocos Island National Park, and Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge has significantly enriched her background experiences and inspired her love of being surrounded by seabirds in wild places. Although she is interested in everything ocean-related, she has specialized in Hawaiian endangered species research, rescue and management for the last 20+ years. She has developed a deep passion for ocean conservation, especially for sea turtles while working closely with them since her first sea turtle job in 1996. She runs the statewide photo-ID catalog for Hawaiian hawksbills (www.Hihawksbills.org) and her marine debris research and cleanup project can be viewed here: www.SHARKastics.org.
Mariah Rivera: Field Biology Associate
Mariah Rivera earned her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology with a minor in Zoology from the University of Vermont in 2021. As a student, Mariah held multiple internships pertaining to land management and animal husbandry. Her time spent with CT’s Beardsley Zoo as an Education intern established her interest in communicating environmental topics to the public and participating in conservation field work. Upon graduating Mariah returned to CT’s Beardsley Zoo as a Seasonal Educator and Assistant Coordinator for the Zoo Career Explorers program. In this role, Mariah spent her days teaching high school volunteers about career opportunities in the zoological field. When she wasn’t working with the volunteers she was catching and tagging Monarch butterflies as a part of a citizen science study with Monarch Watch. These experiences helped Mariah realize she wanted to continue to work on conservation projects that use research to actively manage threatened wildlife species. She is excited to do just that in her role with Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project, now as full time staff after 2 successful Kupu service terms.
Joshua DeCambra: Seabird Protection Associate
I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Maui and have a strong passion for outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and diving. Lately, I have developed a whole new level of appreciation and respect for Hawaii’s native species. The seabirds of Hawaii have gained my special interest due to the fact that they are the ones that helped with the formation of the Hawaiian islands and the very ground that we stand on. My education includes graduating from King Kekaulike High School (May 2016) and the University of Hawaii Maui College with an Associate in Applied Science in Liberal Arts (May 2020) and an Associate in Applied Science in Administration of Justice Studies (December 2021). I had the pleasure of doing some volunteer work with MNSRP while I was in college and within the first few days of volunteering I saw the call for action in the conservation of seabirds. A personal goal of mine would be to take part and do all I can to help protect, preserve and further learn about not only seabirds and the places they call home, but also Hawaii’s special ecosystems from Mauka to Makai. Working with the amazing crew here at MNSRP and like minded conservationists has instilled not only great memories, but ones that will last a lifetime.
Mark Fischer: Intermitent Field Biologist
Sophia Rooney: Kupu AmeriCorps Service Member
Hame Vea: Kupu AmeriCorps Service Member
Dr. Shaya Honarvar: Principal Investigator
Dr. Shaya Honarvar is the director of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is the Principal Investigator for Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project. Dr. Honarvar is an ecologist and conservation biologist with a history of research in primate and sea turtle population biology and ecology.
