CLP TEAM
Nicole Yen
Program Manager
Nicole is the program manager for CLP. Nicole also is the lead instructor and program coordinator for Research Scholars, Marine Science at UCSD Extended Studies and is formally trained as a marine biologist at SIO studying deep sea connectivity and biodiversity using molecular tools. She also specializes in curriculum development and received a masters in teaching from USC in 2019. In her free time, she loves spending time with her bulldogs!
Alberto Rivera
Program Coordinator/ Instructor
Alberto is the lead instructor and program coordinator for CLP. Alberto is a current Ph.D student at SIO and a recent University of San Diego graduate studying larval thermal tolerance and oxygen respiration. After studying at Tufts University, Alberto worked as a lead educator in Los Angeles and New York City helping students from underserved communities get into great high schools. Alberto lives by a mantra to always have purpose beyond oneself.
Sonya Timko
Curriculm Designer / Instructor
Sonya is the lead curriculum developer for CLP. She is a current Ph.D. Candidate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the Jennifer Taylor Lab. Her research focuses on the thermal ecology of crustaceans and their microhabitats. Sonya also teaches courses that use technology such as FLIR Cameras to examine how organisms exchange heat with their environment. Sonya has taught for Pre-College programs since 2017 and now is a lead instructor for RSMS.
Maura Glovins
Curriculum Designer
Maura is one of CLP’s curriculum designers. She is also a marine educator and a 2025 graduate of the Marine Biodiversity and Conservation program at Scripps. She holds a B.S. in Marine Science from The University of South Carolina and brings teaching and research experience from Georgia Sea Grant, The Island School, and Catalina Island Marine Institute. Maura loves using the ocean as a classroom to help students gain hands-on experience and foster appreciation for the coast.
Maysoon Lehmeidi
Director, DES
Maysoon is the Discover and Lower Division Credit for the Education and Community Outreach Department at DES, managing the Division’s K-12 programs. Prior to working with DES, she was the Assistant Director of the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) at the Jacobs School of Engineering and worked in the School of Biological Sciences as a Program Coordinator for professionals in the field of biotechnology. Maysoon received her Ed.D. in Education at UC San Diego.
Octavio Aburto
Director, SIO
Ocatvio is a marine ecologist and conservation photographer, he has dedicated his career to exploring and protecting ocean ecosystems. A professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, his award-winning research on mangroves and marine reserves has been recognized with honors such as the Jean Fort Award and the WWF Kathryn Fuller Fellowship. As a National Geographic Explorer and iLCP photographer, his powerful images continue to inspire global efforts in ocean conservation.
PARTNERS
Odyssea Adventures
Odyssea Diving offers personalized scuba training and unforgettable diving adventures tailored to individual skill level. Founded by experienced diver Fletcher, who has logged thousands of dives worldwide, they provide expert instruction, top-quality equipment, and global destination training to help divers explore the underwater world with confidence.
We are partnering with Odyssea Adventures who will be certifying all our our youth divers.
SCUBA DIVERsity
The Scripps SCUBA DIVERsity Fellowship Program, part of the Scripps Scientific Diving Program, seeks to increase access to SCUBA training for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who want to contribute to subtidal research and explore the ocean, and who have faced, or do face, barriers to inclusion in the dive community (be them financial, cultural, physical, or other).
Scuba DIVERsity Fellows will serve as mentors and participate in dive with students in San Diego.
CONTACT US
Email nyen@ucsd.edu for inquiries about the program.
