Meet the Staff

		Shelley Luce, Ph.D. Executive Director Dr. Luce joined the SMBRC as Executive Director in 2005, after serving as Science and Policy Director at Heal the Bay. She has a background in marine biology and chemistry and a Doctorate of Environmental Science and Engineering from UCLA (2003). Dr. Luce's current projects focus on restoring coastal systems through sustainable solutions to urban runoff and water supply problems, including restoring functioning streams and wetlands in densely urbanized Los Angeles, California. Shelley also swims and surfs in Santa Monica Bay, and wherever the waves take her. Contact Shelley: SLUCE@santamonicabay.org, 310/216-9827
		Guang-yu Wang, Ph.D. Guang-yu joined the SMBRP in 1991, shortly after he graduated from UCLA with a doctoral degree in Biology. As the senior scientist for the Commission, he is responsible for organizing and coordinating the activities of the SMBRC Technical Advisory Committee and overseeing the Commission's research/monitoring activities. He also leads many other SMBRC projects, including the management and administration of both the Prop. 12 grants and the Ballona Creek Watershed Task Force. Guang-yu serves as a member of several committees and advisory panels, and promotes their contribution to the restoration of Santa Monica Bay. Contact Guang-yu: GWANG@waterboards.ca.gov, 213/576-6639
		Jack Topel Jack joined the Commission in 2000 after several years the Regional Water Quality Control Board. His responsibilities include managing the Commission's $18 million in Proposition 50 grants. Jack has represented the Commission on many committees and advisory groups, including the Topanga Watershed Technical and Landowners Advisory Committee, the Rindge Dam Task Force, the Santa Monica Mountains Steelhead Restoration Task Force, and the Malibu Civic Center Water Quality Management Technical Advisory Committee. Jack is currently leading our efforts to help control and eliminate the New Zealand mud snail as well as other aquatic invasive species from the Santa Monica Bay watershed. Jack graduated from Cal State Los Angeles with a BA in Geography. Contact Jack: JTOPEL@waterboards.ca.gov, 213/576-6647
		Joel Hanson Currently the Administrative Director for the Bay Resotraion Commission, Joel joined the Project's Boater Education Program in 2001 after earning his B.S. in Biology and English Literature from UCLA. Before completing a Masters of Arts program in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Law and Policy at the University of Southern California, Joel worked as a Fish and Game Observer on a fishing boat in Alaska and an Environmental Resource Coordinator for a K-12 environmental education program in Northern California. Contact Joel: JHANSON@waterboards.ca.gov, 213/576-6645
		Grace Lee Grace earned her B.S. in Applied Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, and completed a M.A. in Environmental Studies with emphasis in Environmental Planning and Analysis from the University of Southern California. Grace's undergraduate research focused on the effects of reforestation on avian populations in Costa Rica. In San Diego, Grace studied cetacean behavioral patterns. She is currently working on our Boater Education Program. Grace's future research interests include contemporary environmental art, technology, and education. Contact Grace: GLEE@santamonicabay.org, 310/216-9828
		Unica Luna As a recent UCLA graduate, Unica's background in environmental studies/geography earned her a position with SMBRC. In 2008, she began as the Program Assistant for the Boater Education Program (BEP). Now the Program Coordinator and joined by statewide partners and volunteers, she helps run various outreach and education programs to improve the quality of our coastal waters and marinas. Unica is also the SMBRC Coastal Cleanup Day coordinator for Marina del Rey, the only in-water cleanup-on-kayaks site in all of LA County. Outside of SMBRC, she is a professional Polynesian dancer. When she is not occupied with boating activities, she is on stage performing traditional and intricate cultural dances of Polynesia. She loves to perform with fire and play the drums too! Contact Unica: ULUNA@santamonicabay.org, 310/216-9824
		Scott Valor Scott Valor is the Director of Government Relations for the Commission. Scott's activities focus on influencing state and local government on environmental protection and, particularly, implementing the Bay Restoration Plan. Scott recently completed six years working in the California State Legislature where he was chief consultant to the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and senior consultant to the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. His work emphasized the protection of water quality and coastal resources. Scott graduated from Hastings College of the Law in 1991. Prior to working in the legislature, he practiced law in the hazardous waste management, water quality, and air quality fields. Scott also taught environmental law and policy courses for five years in the Environmental Studies Department at San Jose State University. Contact Scott: SVALOR@santamonicabay.org
		Jessica Hall Jessica Hall is the Ballona Creek Watershed Coordinator at the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, where she provides support for the activities of the Ballona Creek Watershed Task Force, develops watershed enhancement projects with stakeholders, outreaches on issues relating to watershed, and particularly stream, health, protection, and restoration, and promotes the Watershed Management Plan. She is also a Senior Associate with Restoration Design Group, a Berkeley-based stream restoration firm. Ms. Hall’s recent work focused on mapping the historical streams of the Los Angeles region, correlating them to the network of storm drains that replaced them, and identifying opportunities for restoration. She is a co-author of Seeking Streams: A landscape framework for urban and ecological revitalization in the upper Ballona Creek Watershed. She is also a landscape designer, and developed mini-park and greenway designs utilizing native plants while at the non-profit urban forestry organization North East Trees. Ms. Hall has a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Princeton University. She is a 2001 Switzer Environmental Fellow and subsequent Switzer Leadership grant recipient, and has written articles, given presentations on the Ballona Creek Watershed and the historical streams of Los Angeles, and appeared in the short film Stream Spirit Rising and the documentary Los Angeles Now. The Los Angeles Weekly cover story by Judith Lews, The Lost Streams of Los Angeles, focuses heavily on her work. Contact Jessica: JHALL@waterboards.ca.gov
		Sean Bergquist As the Wetland Restoration Program Manager, Sean is responsible for providing technical expertise for stream and wetland restoration priorities throughout the Santa Monica Bay Watersheds. Of primary importance to the SMBRC is the restoration of the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. Sean assists in this planning effort through coordination with local agencies efforts in the region and organizing and hosting local meetings and events. Sean also provides guidance to local stewardship projects conducted on-site. Additionally, Sean performs in a local rock band, OneTime, and is quite accomplished in karate. Sean received his undergraduate degree from UCLA, and his M.Env.Mgt. at Australia's Griffith University. Contact Sean: SBERGQUIST@santamonicabay.org
		Lia Protopapadakis Lia Protopapadakis joined the staff of the SMBRC in 2008 after finishing the Knauss Sea Grant Fellowship where she worked in Washington D.C. as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Sam Farr. Lia has a master degree in environmental management from Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences and a B.S. in biology from the University of Southern California. Her background is in marine science and she has worked on several scientific research cruises including NOAA's Antarctic Marine Living Research Program. As the Marine Science and Policy Analyst, Lia will be coordinating the SMBRC's Technical Advisory Committee and developing the SMBRC's plans for scientific research and subsequent policy applications such as the Marine Life Protection Act. After living on the east coast for three years, she is thrilled to return to Southern California, where she can surf almost every morning and get organic produce delivered to her doorstep. Contact Lia: LPROTOPAPADAKIS@santamonicabay.org, 310/216-9826
		Sarah Woodard Sarah joined the SMBRC staff in mid-2008 in order to help manage some of the Commission's programs. Her responsibilities include managing the Public Involvement and Education (PIE) mini-grant program, the Clean Bay Restaurant Certification Program, and general South Bay outreach. She also assists in the management of the Commission’s Proposition 12, 50, and 84 grant projects. Sarah has a BS in Environmental Science with a focus on Policy from the University of Arizona and a background in environmental consulting and management of hazardous building materials. Besides loving just about everything outdoorsy, a few of Sarah’s other interests include sports, fashion, nutrition, American Sign Language, and traveling. Contact Sarah: SWOODARD@waterboards.ca.gov, 213/576-6641
		Karina Johnston Karina works as a Restoration Ecologist for the Bay Restoration Commission, focusing her efforts on the Ballona Wetlands. After completing her Master’s thesis in Ecology at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia, she moved back to California to focus on conservation and restoration efforts. She joined the SMBRC at the end of 2008 and is currently working on the development and implementation of protocols for several monitoring programs in multiple habitat types throughout Los Angeles. She received her BS in Aquatic Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2003), where she was fortunate enough to participate as an intern in locations such as Antarctica, Moorea (French Polynesia), and the Channel Islands. She is passionate about traveling and is an avid SCUBA diver. Contact Karina: kjohnston@santamonicabay.org, 310/417-3093