Office of Underwater Science: Indiana University Bloomington

Director: Charles D. Beeker has been directing the Academic Diving Program since 1984 and the Underwater Science Program since 1991. Mr. Beeker, Registered Professional Archaeologist and PADI Master Instructor, has been a faculty member with the School of Health Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) since 1980. He was appointed to the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee in 2005 and is responsible for the creation and implementation for numerous underwater parks. Mr. Beeker currently leads underwater research projects throughout the United States and Caribbean.

Diving Safety Officer: Nicole Wiegand is a graduate student at the IU School of Education. As a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Nicole teaches scuba related courses and is responsible for the administration of the Academic Diving Program. She also assists in the design and implementation of underwater field projects. As an undergraduate, Nicole was among the first IU students to obtain the Underwater Resource Management Certificate.
Lecturer/Research Associate: Nicholas Bussberg is a graduate student in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). He received his Bachelor's degree in Biology from Indiana University with the Underwater Resource Management Certificate. His interests are in marine biology and marine conservation within Marine Protected Areas. Nic is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and has participated in several IU field projects.

Laboratory Coordinator/Lecturer: Jessica Keller is a graduate student working on a Master's degree in Outdoor Recreation. Her focuses are development, interpretation, management and public outreach of Marine Protected Areas. Jessica completed her undergraduate degree at Indiana University in Anthropology and the Individualized Major Program's Underwater Archaeology with a certificate in Underwater Resource Management. She is a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
Matt Hamas is a senior pursuing a major in Tourism Management and a certificate in Underwater Resource Management. His interests are in marine conservation and underwater archeology. He is a PADI OWSI and is PSI/PCI certified. Matt has participated in two of the field projects in the Dominican Republic.

Anna Rogers is senior majoring in Anthropology and Underwater Archaeology through the Individualized Major Program, her focus is in Spanish colonial coins found in the Dominican Republic. She is also working toward the Underwater Resource Management Certificate and her PADI Divemaster certification.

Loren Clark is senior majoring in Anthropology and Classical Civilizations while working on an Underwater Rescource Management certificate. Her interests inlcude Classical Archaeology as well as Marine Archaeology. She has participated in field schools in the Dominican Republic as well as working in the Underwater Science laboratory working with artifact conservation and illustration.

Emily Palmer is a junior studying environmental science and working on a certificate in Underwater Resource Management. Her focus is marine ecology and tidal wetlands, specifically biodiversity of coral reefs.

Josh Lane is a recent graduate of Indiana University with a B.A. in History. He is currently a Master’s student in HPER studying Outdoor Recreation and working towards the Certificate in Underwater Resource Management. He is interested in conservation of submerged cultural and natural resources and establishing underwater parks and preserves. He is a certified PADI Rescue Diver.
Claire Kitchin is a Franklin College graduate with degrees in biology & history. She is a second year master's student in SPEA pursuing a degree in environmental science with a specialization in applied ecology. She is also pursuing the underwater resource management certificate. Claire has worked on an IU field project in the Dominican Republic and was the 2011 Our World Underwater Scholarship Society Intern at REEF in Key Largo, FL. Claire's main focuses are marine conservation and outreach.

Zack Wilson is a junior in SPEA, studying Environmental Management and working on obtaining a certificate in Underwater Resource Management. He is a big ocean lover and would always rather be underwater. He traveled with the research team to the Dominican Republic in the summer of 2011 and has enjoyed working in the lab since the beginning of his sophomore year.

Dante Pensa is a senior majoring in Ancient History. He is an avid student of all things history. Hailing from Central Coast California, Dante considers himself a protector and champion of the ocean. Dante was part of the research team in the Dominican Republic this past summer. He is also pursuing his U.S.C.G. Captain License as well as his dive master certification.
Benjamin Ivers is a senior majoring in Entrepreneurship and Spanish with a certificate in Underwater Resource Management. He is interested in marine tourism with a focus in conservation, biology, and history. He is currently pursuing his Divemaster certification. Ben has worked on one field project in the Dominican Republic and is working on research for the department from the General Archives of the Indies of Seville, Spain.

Josh Stewart was IU's first graduate in the IMP Marine Biology program. Josh is the 2010 Our World Underwater Scholar and is currently a research associate for IU.
- Lauren Ayres is a received a Master's degree from HPER with a concentration in Marine Ecosystem Management. Her main interests are in marine conservation and protected area development. Lauren completed her undergraduate degree at IU in Biology and Psychology and holds certificates in Underwater Resource Management and Animal Behavior. She is a certified PADI Assistant Instructor and an EMT-B. Lauren currently works in the marine mammal training department at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Ania Budziak has received Master Degrees in Environmental Policy and Environmental Science from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) and assists in all aspects of program management and development. Ania works for the Project AWARE Foundation where she is a Marine Conservationalist and Education Specialist. She assists on various Underwater Science projects and is also a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.