Laura Stein

Background

About Laura Stein

Experienced operations and project manager with a passion for conservation, environmental sustainability, and gender equity.Recent experience includes Operations Manager at an aquaculture technology company working with shrimp farmers around the world to improve efficiencies and sustainability of their operations. Previously, I worked as a Business Development Specialist with an ecological restoration company working to improve habitat and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay region. I earned a Master of Science degree in Resource Conservation through the University of Montana's International Conservation and Development program. I developed and conducted an independent research project examining women's experiences within the Costa Rican coffee industry and exploring their views on coffee certification programs, namely fair trade. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a focus in Conservation and minors in Biology and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I have a wide range of experience in the fields of conservation, environmental and social science, food production systems, and education/outreach. Recent work encompassed technology development while managing a team in a remote location, project management, customer discovery, partnership relations, grant management, and independent international research. Additionally, I have experience in natural resource management and conservation, ecological restoration, forestry, wildlife monitoring, endangered species management, invasive species control, environmental education and interpretation, volunteer/intern oversight, and visitor services. I am also proficient in Spanish.My professional interests encompass social and environmental sciences within the realm of sustainable development. I am particularly interested in the intersection of women's empowerment, food production, and environmental conservation. Research Experience:Technology Development - experimental design in the field to test and improve monitoring equipment in aquacultureMarket Research - tracking news and trends in the aquaculture industry worldwide with a focus on aquacultureInternational Conservation and Development - Independent master's thesis examining coffee certification schemes (e.g. Fair Trade)Additional research in ecotourism, avian ecology, stormwater best management practices, and forest ecology.