From May 16—17, 2025, the University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) welcomed more than 50 marine science students, professionals and alumni to campus for the first-ever Professional Industry Networking Event (PINE).
Organized by graduate students in UGA Franklin College’s Department of Marine Sciences, the two-day event brought together students from UGA’s Athens and SkIO campuses, along with peers from Georgia Institute of Technology, Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University. PINE connected them with industry leaders to bridge academic learning with real-world applications in marine science.
“As students, we often focus heavily on research within the university setting, but many of us will go on to careers outside academia,” said Paul Okrah, a UGA Marine Sciences doctoral student based in Athens and PINE lead organizer. “PINE provides a platform for students to connect directly with professionals working in marine science and related industries, gain insight into diverse career paths, and build relationships that can guide and support their transition beyond graduate school.”
The students participated in networking and career-building events, shared meals, toured the UGA Shellfish Research Lab, and attended talks led by industry leaders. The event concluded on Saturday with a group cleanup of the beach on Tybee Island, Ga., led by the Tybee Clean Beach organization.
“If you know your why—if you know your calling—let that guide you,” Mona Behl, associate director of Georgia Sea Grant and PINE speaker, told attendees during her talk.
Kelli L. Edwards, an environmental quality education manager for the Fulton County Government, advised attendees to identify their passion, stay dedicated to their crafts, be open to volunteering, be flexible, understand that progress is not linear, and to be open to new opportunities.
The speakers included:
- Chantal Audran, executive director of the Tybee Marine Science Center
- Mona Behl, associate director of Georgia Sea Grant
- Megan Brock, associate director of graduate student services and faculty engagement at the UGA Career Center
- Kyle Craig, microbiology laboratory supervisor at Piedmont Water Company
- Kelli L. Edwards, environmental quality education manager for the Fulton County Government
- Colby Peffer, stewardship program coordinator at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Charles Pennington, director of human resources at Georgia Ports Authority
- Sarah Porter, chapter director for Gray’s Reef with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
- Courtney Reich, coastal director for the Georgia Conservancy
- Katy Smith, public service assistant with the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
“This event led me to make many new connections and friends, which I believe will help me find a position after my Ph.D.,” said Ben Lowin, a UGA Marine Sciences doctoral student at SkIO and PINE logistics coordinator.
About SkIO
The UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a multidisciplinary research and education institution located on Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia. The Institute was founded in 1967 with a mission to conduct research in all fields of oceanography. In 2013, SkIO was merged with the University of Georgia. The campus serves as a gateway to coastal and marine environments for programs throughout the University System. The Institute’s primary goals are to further the understanding of marine and environmental processes, conduct leading-edge research on coastal and marine systems, and train tomorrow’s scientists. For more information, visit www.skio.uga.edu.