Karen Brown, M.A.

Coordinator, Educational Media/Communications

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@ufl.edu
(352) 273-3667

Amy Richard, B.F.A.

Education Initiative Coordinator

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

Mary Langeland, M.A.

Cataloger

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

marylang@ufl.edu

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

Anne Taylor

Senior Clerk

Anne Taylor works as a library assistant. She enters and maintains bibliographic records in the APIRS database, assists the cataloger, and cares for our small satellite library. Anne is a language artist.

taylora@ufl.edu

Katie Walters

Project Assistant

Katie is a project assistant for the CAIP Education Initiative. She assists in preparing curriculum aligned with state and national standards along with other resources and materials for use in the classroom. She has been part of the CAIP outreach team since 2011.

katie716@ufl.edu

Charlie Bogatescu

Web Developer/IT Specialist

Charlie is the Center's web and IT specialist. He maintains and updates CAIP's websites, oversees content management, assists with the design of web and print assets, and handles IT tasks. He has a B.A. in Digital Media specializing in web and game development and has an interest in using new media for educational purposes. Outside of the office, Charlie's biggest interests are games, geeky gadgets, world history, and ferrets.

charliebogatescu@ufl.edu

Phil Chiocchio, M.F.A.

Videographer

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 formally taught New Media at Ringling College of Art and Design and is currently an Artist in Residence for the Sarasota County School Board's EdExploreSRQ program. 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.

chiocchio@me.com

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.