Peer Support Workers of the Northwest-Pacific Islands Region
The Peer Support Worker Program was created to promote awareness and provide outreach and education on topics and policies related to anti-harassment, discrimination, biases, and scientific integrity, and is led by the USGS Civility and Inclusion Council. For more information, please contact the Civility and Inclusion Council Chair (Tina Roberts-Ashby).
USGS Northwest-Pacific Islands Region
Hawaii | Idaho | Oregon | Washington
Hawaii
Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center—Hawai’i National Park, HI
Kristina Montoya-Aiona, Biologist, kmontoya-aiona@usgs.gov, 808-985-6447
Kristina Montoya-Aiona is a biologist and has been with USGS at the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC) since 2010. Her work at PIERC has largely focused on the ecology and conservation of ʻŌpeʻapeʻa, the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat. She also serves as the safety officer and facilities manager at PIERC and is an active member of PIERC's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) group. As a first- generation college graduate and minority woman in science she hopes to bring another diverse perspective to the PSW program and is looking forward to providing resources and support to others.
Pacific Islands Water Science Center—Honolulu, HI
April Torres, Administrative Operations Assistant, atorres@usgs.gov, 808-690-9573
Idaho
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center—Boise, ID
Michael Perez, IT Specialist, mjperez@usgs.gov, 208-451-4980
I'm Michael Perez, and I've been with the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center since 2011. I work in IT, which allows me to interact with all staff on a regular basis to find solutions to complex issues. In my personal life, I run an organization that helps people find different ways to express themselves. I enjoy getting to know people, and it has personal meaning to me that I can help people be their best. As a Peer Support Worker, I hope I can help you be your best.
Idaho Water Science Center Upper Columbia-Idaho Field Office-Spokane Valley, WA
Michael Michelotti, Hydrologic Technician, mmichelotti@usgs.gov, 509-688-5955
I’m Michael (Mike) Michelotti; a hydrologic technician in the Idaho Water Science Center. I started my career in 2017 as a student intern in the South Atlantic Water Science Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Then, in early 2018, I moved to the Post Falls, Idaho office as a student intern and have been there ever since. My work varies from standard surface water work to water quality sampling, with some sediment surrogates and index velocity work mixed in. As a Peer Support Worker, I hope to be an excellent resource to my colleagues and hope to further develop and expand the culture of support and respect which I experienced continuously throughout my career.
Oregon
Oregon Water Science Center—Portland, OR
Katie Baker, Hydrologic Technician, kbaker@usgs.gov, 503-729-0063
Katherine (Katie) J. Baker is a hydrologic technician with the Oregon Water Science Center and has been with the USGS since 2013. She received her B.S. in Environmental Geology from Fort Lewis College in 2008. In order to pursue her passion for water she completed an M.S. in Forest Hydrology from the University of Montana in 2012. Katie began her career with the U.S. Forest Service and transitioned to the USGS Anchorage Field Office in 2013. She found her home in the Central Point Field Office in Southern Oregon. Her primary focus is surface water data collection, streamgage measurements and data analysis. In addition to dedicating time to the Safety Program, she also fosters a safe work environment as a Peer Support Worker. She enjoys her job because it allows her time outdoors working around the beautiful rivers of Southern Oregon. Her hobbies include hiking and camping, yoga, skiing and ice skating, cooking and going to the farmers market, hanging out at the Oregon Coast, reading, and wild harvesting edible and medicinal plants.
Erin Poor, Hydrologist, epoor@usgs.gov, 503-251-3240
Erin Poor is a hydrologist and has been with the Oregon Water Science Center since 2016. Her work is focused largely on issues impacting water resources in urban watersheds. Erin joined the PSW program in 2022 because of her passion for supporting her colleagues and helping them find success and fulfillment in their work.
Oregon Water Science Center—Klamath Falls, OR
Paige Preston, Hydrologic Technician, ppreston@usgs.gov, 971-442-1890. Paige transferred to USGS from the National Park Service in 2022. She works in southern Oregon primarily on discrete water quality sampling and continuous water quality monitoring. She joined the Peer Support Worker program in order to contribute to a strong work community for the USGS. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and reading!
Washington
Cascades Volcano Observatory—Vancouver, WA
Wendy McCausland, Research Seismologist, wmccausland@usgs.gov, 360-993-8985
Washington Water Science Center—Tacoma, WA
Sharbra Gordon-Scott, Budget Analyst, sgordon-scott@usgs.gov, 253-552-1698
Sharbra started with the USGS Washington Water Science Center 2010 as a HR Liaison/Administrative Operation Assist for WA State, and previously worked in Human Resources/Accounting for 10 years in previous City Government. She is currently a Budget Analyst for WA WSC. She loves to work with people and numbers. She is grateful to have this opportunity to be a resource for her peers and agency.