Who are we and what do we do?

Claire Hudson: Co-founder and Director. 

Claire graduated from Victoria University, New Zealand with a degree in Marine Biology in 2003. Then in 2007 she completed her Master's degree in Environmental Biology, Hood College in Frederick, MD. 

Growing up in Dubai, UAE and Guernsey, UK, she developed the travel bug at an early age. Claire has travelled the world in pursuit of learning and volunteer work. From a very young age she acquired a passion for marine environments and conservation. 

Upon completion of her Master's she shared her passion for marine biology by teaching a Marine Biology course at Hood College. Claire was inspired by her teaching experience to form a non-profit and share the magic of marine environments with others. Claire’s goal is to engage people in the wonders of the marine realm.     

Drew Ferrier: Co-founder and Director. 

Drew, a professor of Biology at Hood College in Frederick, MD, has over 25 years of experience teaching biology and ecology in classrooms, laboratories, and a variety of field locations along the Eastern Seaboard from the Chesapeake Bay to South Florida and the Caribbean. After graduating from Washington and Jefferson College, he obtained a masters degree at Miami University. His career began as a faculty member of a small college in western Maryland, followed by years of teaching and leading field excursions to field stations in the Caribbean. This provided a practical introduction to marine science which he formalized by completing a PhD degree at the University of Maryland in Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Science. Since that time Dr. Ferrier has been a faculty member at Hood College where he also serves as the Director of the Graduate Program in Environmental Biology. Drew continues to combine his interests in marine science, research, and teaching by introducing students of all ages to ocean environments.