Elizabeth Virgl

Elizabeth Virgl graduated from the University of Tampa with a Bachelor’s in Marine Science-Biology. Originally from the Midwest, she has always felt a pull towards the ocean and especially in its conservation. She has worked up and down the East Coast participating in local efforts to preserve coastal habitats and animals. Notably, Elizabeth worked as a researcher with Allied Whale implementing a long-term intertidal survey comparing the changes in habitats along the Gulf of Maine. She also catalogued marine mammals and educated the public on a local whale watching vessel. She has experience not only researching, but educating students in the field and classroom. As an outdoor educator on Jekyll Island, Elizabeth led students in multidisciplinary, immersive courses covering concepts in research science, coastal ecology, and animal husbandry. Most recently, she spent time in California as a STEM Middle School teacher at Town School for Boys developing project-based units covering topics from Cell Biology to Atmospheric Science. She plans to bring developmentally engaging content to the Houston-Galveston region to empower students to stay curious, care for our planet, and be an advocate for the birds.