CJ O'Brien Weddle, MDP

Experience

• 

  University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

  Jun 2014 - Jul 2014

  Intern

  Worked as an intern for Dr. Claire Paris. Analyzed data for research using R studio, proof-read scientific papers, presented my research to the research team, and built relationships with numerous scientists. Conducted research studying fish larvae and their navigational patterns using sunlight, magnetic field, and smell.

• 

  University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences

  Jun 2015 - Jul 2015

  Intern

  Worked as an intern for Dr. Claire Paris. Completed data analysis in a timely fashion, learned computer skills in coding in RStudio, collaborated with other scientists, helped complete a scientific paper on the research, and built relationships with the research team members. Study conducted research with fish larvae and their navigational patterns using sunlight, magnetic field, and smell.

• 

  Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

  May 2016 - Jul 2016

  Coral Reef Health & Disease Intern

  Assisted in a comparative Black Band Disease treatment experiment. Duties also included cleaning coral tanks, measuring photosynthesis, running data analysis, and collecting coral samples using snorkeling techniques.

• 

  University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

  Jun 2017 - Jun 2017

  Shark Tagging Intern

  Tagged sharks (Nurse, Blacktip, Tiger) for various research projects in the Shark Research and Conservation lab.

• 

  Shedd Aquarium

  Jul 2017 - Jul 2017

  Research Diver

  Studied comparative population abundance of Queen Conch in marine protected areas (MPAs) on a research vessel for 10 nights and completed 48 SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) dives.

• 

  SIT Study Abroad

  Jan 2018 - May 2018

  Independent Study

  Led a research project which investigated the impacts of plastic in the Stone Town Harbor area by quantifying microplastic at the sea surface using plankton net methodologies as well as plastic on coastal beaches using line transects and quadrats. Interviews with community members and a recycling business was also conducted. Data from this research was published on the SIT website.

• 

  California Lutheran University

  May 2018 - May 2019

  Held tutor hours for students that had questions and graded papers for the general Biology and Oceans lab. Led a research project which looked at the effects of microplastic on marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) regarding food acquisition and digestive enzyme activity using biochemistry techniques and biological assays (amylase activity). Data from this research project was presented at the Western Society of Naturalists and is published in PLOS ONE.

  • Biology Department Assistant

    Aug 2016 - May 2019

  • OURSC Swenson Summer Research Fellow

    May 2018 - Jul 2018
• 

  Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

  Aug 2019 - Jul 2020

  Research Assistant

  Helped develop a monitoring program for microplastic quantification on the Chattahoochee River by conducting preliminary results, analyzing data, compiling a budget, creating outreach content, and presenting findings at the Water Warriors summit at the Georgia Aquarium.

• 

  Oceana

  Aug 2020 - Dec 2022

  The Plastics Campaign Associate works as part of Oceana’s U.S. Plastics Campaign to protect the oceans from plastic pollution by reducing the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic. To meet the campaign goals, the Campaign Associate researches the problem and solutions, creates internal and external campaign materials, coordinates outreach efforts, plans and implements projects, and tracks campaign activities and other action on plastics. The Campaign Associate also organizes strategic campaign activity and facilitates collaboration and coordination across science, policy, communications, legal and grassroots parts of Oceana’s campaign model.Duties include:• Draft materials for the campaign, including sign-on letters, grassroots activist tools, presentations, and internal documents such as background research memos.• Conduct ongoing campaign research and maintain a working knowledge of the plastic reduction policies passed by local, state, and national governments as well as commitments made by corporations. • Execute targeted campaign tactics in strategic locations to reach campaign goals. • Lead outreach for and coordination of Oceana’s work to reduce single-use plastics in public and private institutions, and support Oceana’s internal efforts in this area. • Analyze local, state, and federal legislation and policy proposals. • Reach out to and mobilize organizations, businesses, and individuals. • Engage with national, state, and international partners working on the plastic problem.• Work in conjunction with Oceana’s team of professionals in Washington, DC and in the field. • Provide substantial and administrative support in the planning and implementation of internal and external projects and events. • Track time, expenses, campaign activities, and progress toward goals regularly, meeting all deadlines established Show less Assisting single-use plastic and North Atlantic right whale campaigns in Georgia by managing MailChimp Newsletters, social media, Salesforce uploads, hosting virtual outreach events, webinars, and workshops, writing blog posts, Letters to the Editor, Op-Eds, completing literature reviews, delivering testimonials at public comment periods, speaking with councilmembers, connecting various stakeholders to work on policy issues, and serving as the Program Assistant for Whale Week; a week dedicated to saving North Atlantic right whale populations from extinction. Show less

  • Plastics Campaign Associate

    Jan 2022 - Dec 2022

  • Oceana Taskforce for Environmental Responsibility (OTER) Co-Lead

    Jan 2022 - Dec 2022

  • Plastics Campaign Intern

    Jul 2021 - Jan 2022

  • Georgia Field Intern

    Aug 2020 - Jul 2021
• 

  Emory University

  Aug 2020 - Dec 2022

  Co-Created a campaign dedicated to tackling single-use plastic on campus through outreach, education, policy change, and a “Break Free From Plastic” pledge that would phase out unnecessary single-use plastic by 2026. Duties include organizing social media posts, volunteers, events, meetings, team members and writing pieces for the Emory Newspaper. Helping to empower students, faculty, and staff to divert landfill waste by co-leading a virtual “trash talk” through Zoom or Facebook Live, answering waste reduction and sorting questions, contributing to blog post on the Office of Sustainability website, and creating social media materials about zero waste initiatives.

  • Plastic Free Emory Project Co-Founder

    Oct 2020 - Dec 2022

  • Zero Waste Ambassador

    Aug 2020 - May 2021
• 

  Whale Week

  Nov 2020 - Dec 2022

  Project Manager

  Oversaw the multi-organization and multi-day schedule of events focused on building awareness of North Atlantic right whales through art, sciences, and cultural products. This included grant writing, coordinating events, providing support, monitoring progress, evaluating success, and final reporting.

• 

  The Surfrider Foundation

  Dec 2022 - now

  Ocean Friendly Programs Manager

  Manages the Plastic Pollution Initiative’s Ocean Friendly Restaurant (OFR) program.• Manage and expand Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Programs to include more opportunities(businesses, offices, events, sports teams, etc.,) as relevant to our mission and strategicplan.• Work with Surfrider Corporate Partnerships staff to help convert businesses into theprogram and advise on best practices/emerging science such as bioplastic products.• Maintain direct communication within the chapter (and club) network on program-related news and updates such as monthly announcement emails and newsletters.• Effectively collaborate with local business councils, state agencies and coalitions toimprove the program and overall plastic pollution goals.• Work with the Surfrider Foundation’s Communication and Marketing Department toengage and activate the general public.• Develop resource support materials for our chapter and club networks.• Maintain and improve the Ocean Friendly business database, including restaurants andother businesses.• Work with the Senior Manager on organizational strategy and priority setting.• Work with the Plastic Pollution Policy and Healthy Beaches Programs Managers tointegrate programs with active policy campaigns and leverage programs to advance plastic pollution policies.• Represent the Surfrider Foundation within plastic pollution coalitions and movements, and effectively collaborate toward larger, meaningful goals. Show less