Karen Brown, M.A.

Karen oversees the APIRS office and manages the online Aquatic Plant Information Retrieval System database. She also serves as editor of AQUAPHYTE, and Wildland Weeds magazine for the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC), of which she is a board member. Karen has worked at the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants since 1983. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and has played a key role in most of the educational ventures of the Information Office. She has a master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences.
KPBrown@ifas.ufl.edu
(352) 273-3667

Mary Langeland, M.A.

Mary Langeland identifies and catalogs research publications for the APIRS database, and contributes material for AQUAPHYTE.
marylang@ufl.edu

Amy Richard, B.F.A.

Amy oversees the design, desktop production and dissemination of educational materials produced by the Center. She also coordinates the Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative -- a program designed to provide teachers with materials and resources about Florida's native, non-native and invasive plants. At times, she can be found at various outdoor venues and schools talking with folks about Florida's diverse plant life, while dressed as a plant herself (her stage name: Amelia exotica). She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
arich@ufl.edu
(352) 392-6843

Beth Hathaway

Beth maintains a total of six web sites for the Center, including the two existing APIRS web sites. She developed and maintains the web sites for the Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative, the Osceola County Hydrilla & Hygrophila Demonstration Project, and the IFAS Assessment. She also attends conferences/meetings, assembling and monitoring photo-displays, information kiosks, and display tables of educational materials, distributing them to specific user groups and the general public. When not at the Center, Beth enjoys a variety of hobbies including web design, cooking and hiking Florida's trails.
beth56@ufl.edu
(352) 273-3666

Lynda Dillon

Program Assistant

Lynda is a program assistant for the APIRS database and the CAIP Education Initiative.She assists in expanding the database and develops and maintains systems to track production and distribution of CAIP's educational materials.  When not in the office, Lynda enjoys riding her bicycle, making crafts, and outdoor activities with her grandchildren.
dillon@ufl.edu
(352) 392-1799

Rob Horsburgh

Education Initiative Assistant

Rob facilitates the development, production and dissemination of educational materials for the Center.  He also serves as an information liaison to the public.  Rob recently moved to Gainesville from Columbus, OH where he worked in a variety of educational settings and served on the Board of Directors for the Stratford Ecological Center.  In his free time, Rob enjoys hiking, canoeing, and beekeeping. 
rhorsburgh@ufl.edu
(352)273-3665

Josh Huey

Josh is a student at Santa Fe Community College majoring in Graphic Design. He maintains the Slide & Digital Photo Archives, and handles requests for image use from people outside the Center. Josh also helps develop graphics for the various web sites and education programs developed by the Center. Josh's interests outside of work are completing school, learning to play bass, and collecting records and other musical goodies. View Josh's web site and portfolio.
joshua.huey@gmail.com
(352)273-3665

Phil Chiocchio, M.F.A.

Since 1988 Philip Chiocchio has been collaborating with the Center translating the science into videos for a variety of audiences at workshops and as programs on DVD and the web. Phil teaches New Media at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota FL and has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Arts. In his spare time he breeds weimaraners, studies the history of airships and researches the humor of humor. He maintains contacts with skydiving and skateboarding buddies of yesteryear and today conceptualizes on ways to save the planet.
pchiocch@ringling.edu

Victor Ramey, M.S. (1948-2005)

Mr. Ramey established the APIRS office in 1981. He authored this web site, and produced many educational materials during his 25 year tenure with this office. He passed away on November 24, 2005. Read more about Vic .