Steve first came to Honduras to conduct the research for his PhD on the coral reefs of Roatan. He never left. Coming to the conclusion that the urgent requirement for environmental management was hindered by the chronic lack of capacity to conduct marine research; Steve set up UCME. His current research is diverse but the overriding aim is to provide answers that can ensure that his daughter can see coral reefs when she is old enough to dive (she has ten years to go!). Steve has extensive experience working on the reefs and with the communities of the Bay Islands and is a specialist in the mechanisms and processes of coral-algal competiton and factors affecting the resilience of coral reefs.

With extensive fieldwork experience on coral reefs and mangroves on three continents, Steve is researching the effects of different types of urban encroachment upon mangrove communities, and how this affects the associated systems of seagrass beds and coral reefs. Steve C facilitates logistical needs at UCME and runs the volunteer training program.

George is implementing a series of research projects in order to provide critical information regarding regional degradation of coral reefs. Currently his main focus is herbivorous reef fish, algal dynamics and associated interactions with coral organisms. George is a keen underwater photographer and is currently building UCME's catalogue of Utila's coral reef flora and fauna. He also develops and manages our website and provides technical assistance.

Ossie Stewart
Megafauna Research Coordinator

From Scotland where she researched trophic relationships between basking sharks, marine mammals, seabirds, fish and plankton in the Clyde Estuary.
Her efforts are currently focused on determining abundance and distribution patterns, population and social structure and establishing levels of residency of cetaceans. She is also investigating association with other species and their behaviours at different sites around the island, for example are they feeding, breeding, socialising or just passing through? UCME are also interested in human and environmental influences on cetaceans and aim to use the information gathered to develop guidelines for conservation protocols.

James Saunders (PhD - Ecology: Intertidal ecocsystem functioning)
Marine Ecosystem Research Coordinator

James recently finished his PhD in Marine ecosystem functioning at the University of St Andrews. He is now looking at the effect of human disturbances and pollution on Utilian marine ecology. In particular James is looking at the effect of decreasing mangrove health caused by habitat destruction and high levels of organic pollution on the status of adjacent seagrass beds and coral reefs. He hopes his work will help conserve more of the islands mangroves which will lead to healthier reefs for divers and local fishermen.

Sharon Jeffery (MSc Marine Ecology)
Seagrass Research Coordinator

Seagrass habitats are recognized for their value as nursery habitats as well as their ability to improve water quality and protect shorelines.  Unfortunately, they are being lost at an alarming rate worldwide. Sharon's research focus on Utila is to explore the effects of human activities on seagrass health and their value as a nursery habitat.

Sharon enjoys backcountry camping and kayaking on the west coast of Canada when she is not snorkeling through Honduran seagrass beds.

Italo Bonilla (BSc Biology)
Head of Fisheries Research

Italo, graduated from the national university of Honduras as a Biologist specialising in aquatic systems. He joins UCME to head up fisheries research building on his experience of working with SPAG's (spawning aggregation sites for reef fish) in Belize and Honduras. As a PADI dive instructor Italo is our resident dive expert but also has extensive knowledge of reef monitoring protocols like MBRS, AGRRA, and REEF CHECK. Before coming to UCME, Italo lived and worked for five years in The Natural Marine Monument Archipelago Cayos Cochinos, where he held the position of science coordinator and dive operations manager.

Valerie heads up the UK office branch of UCME to facilitate all enquiries and bookings for UCME volunteers.