INSPIRE Welcomes Two New Scientists to the Team

Brian Gervelis joins INSPIRE as our new Project Scientist, sharing his expertise in fisheries science and passion for local apex predators.

INSPIRE Environmental is proud to introduce two new members to our team as we build out our capabilities to support new endeavors in 2019. Born and raised in Rhode Island and a self-professed “shark kid,” Brian Gervelis joins us as INSPIRE’s new Project Scientist. Brian received his BS in Marine Biology and his MS in Fisheries Science from the University of Rhode Island, where he developed a love of thresher sharks while volunteering and then working for NOAA Fisheries’ Apex Predators Investigation.  “Little did I know the biggest shark tagging program in the Northeast is in Narragansett,” Brian recalled. Since then he has worked for the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program as a data manager and Northeast area lead assistant, and at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center as a data analyst focusing on cooperative fisheries research with commercial fishing vessels from New Jersey to New Hampshire. Brian is looking forward to doing fisheries work that supports the renewable energy sector with a young company and committed staff.

Dustin Varnell brings his experience in offshore facilities management to INSPIRE as our new
Equipment Manager.

New Equipment Manager Dustin Varnell is excited about INSPIRE’s innovations above and below the surface. Dustin is responsible for our growing inventory of SPI, PV, and underwater camera equipment and makes sure equipment gets safely to and from any of our global projects. After working globally for the Merchant Marines and in the Oil and Gas sector, Dustin has been “excited to work more closely with scientists and dive into unique tangents that serve INSPIRE’s diverse project portfolio.” He holds a BS in Marine Transportation and a MS in Facilities Planning and Management, both from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and is eager to dive into the unique challenges posed by the myriad of locations that INSPIRE scientists conduct fieldwork. Dustin recognized that INSPIRE “excel[s] in benthic science and image analysis; There are immense challenges to putting something under the water and making it work.” After witnessing environmental degradation and mismanagement in the United States and abroad, Dustin noted, “Future solutions involve what INSPIRE is doing: accounting for the marine environment as we build more underwater infrastructure with advancing technology.”

Welcome to INSPIRE, Brian and Dustin!

INSPIRE Joins Cutting-Edge Incubator Space in Downtown Newport

INSPIRE is making moves! INSPIRE is excited to announce our move to Innovate Newport, a co-working and incubator space opening in early 2019. Formerly the Sheffield School, Innovate Newport will host INSPIRE and expand our operations with a fiber-optic internet, a beautiful modern office space, and opportunities for community engagement in downtown Newport.

Rendering of Innovate Newport courtesy of Northeast Collaborative Architects and Studio Troika

Occupying roughly 4,350-square feet of the building’s top floor, INSPIRE’s office at Innovate Newport will host our newly expanded team of marine scientists and analysts, supporting offshore energy and coastal development worldwide. Newport has hosted INSPIRE’s headquarters for over a decade, and INSPIRE CEO Drew Carey is now eager for the company to “grow into this space and collaborate with other marine tech firms as well as [institutions like] the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.” Carey emphasized that the incubator space is a great start for the future of high-quality jobs like those provided at INSPIRE and will help connect new industries to the broader Newport and Rhode Island community. Employing over 20 employees and young scientists who work worldwide in rapid environmental assessment and measuring the health of the seafloor, INSPIRE will champion the expansion of Newport’s Blue Tech industry at this new and exciting space in the months to come.

For more information, see What’s Up Newport’s profile here and releases from Innovation Newport here.

loading