USGS Oceanographer Zafer Defne discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Sara Ernst
I am an Information Specialist at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. My goal is to bridge the communication gap between science and stakeholders – ensuring resource managers, planners, politicians, and the public have the information they need to make informed decisions that enhance the resilience of coastal communities, habitats, and natural resources.
As the Information Specialist for the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, I lead communications and outreach efforts to help increase awareness and use of our coastal and marine research, data, and tools.
"Great science done invisibly cannot have impact." - my motto on the importance of science communication and engaging with stakeholders.
I specialize in simplifying technical information into clear, concise content that is tailored to target audiences and delivered in a variety of visually appealing formats. I develop electronic and physical information products, such as our annual reports and General Information Product, as well as topical videos; write news articles; produce content for and manage our website and social media accounts; provide editorial services to our scientists; and more. I am also a member of the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program communications team, where we work collaboratively across the program to further promote USGS coastal and marine research.
Additionally, I am one of the leads of the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications project, a cross-center project working to create a communications, stakeholder engagement, and social science infrastructure for the coastal change hazards programmatic focus.
Science and Products
State of Our Nation's Coast
Discover USGS products, tools, and data with the Coastal Science Navigator! The Coastal Science Navigator serves as a gateway to USGS Coastal Change Hazards resources and assists users in finding products and tools that will meet their specific needs.
Coastal Change Hazards
Natural processes such as waves, tides, and weather, continually change coastal landscapes. The integrity of coastal homes, businesses, and infrastructure can be threatened by hazards associated with event-driven changes, such as extreme storms and their impacts on beach and dune erosion, or longer-term, cumulative changes associated with coastal and marine processes, such as sea-level rise...
Filter Total Items: 37
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Oceanographer Zafer Defne discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll holding one of our drones.
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll holding one of our drones.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready to discuss drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
USGS geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready to discuss drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready for visitors to look at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments, through our microscope.
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready for visitors to look at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments, through our microscope.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Oceanographer Zafer Defne discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Oceanographer Zafer Defne discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
The Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee booth at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
The Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee booth at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer and drone pilot Jen Cramer showing visitors USGS uncrewed aircraft system technology and talking about how drones are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
USGS Geographer and drone pilot Jen Cramer showing visitors USGS uncrewed aircraft system technology and talking about how drones are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over talking about drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over talking about drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer Jen Cramer showing off our uncrewed aircraft system technology at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Geographer Jen Cramer showing off our uncrewed aircraft system technology at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Microscope station at the USGS booth of the Woods Hole Science Stroll, looking at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments.
Microscope station at the USGS booth of the Woods Hole Science Stroll, looking at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett talking about foraminifera, tiny microfossils that live in marine environments, while a little girl looks at them through the microscope.
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett talking about foraminifera, tiny microfossils that live in marine environments, while a little girl looks at them through the microscope.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
A small drone on display at the USGS booth of the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
A small drone on display at the USGS booth of the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready for visitors to look at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments, through our microscope.
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready for visitors to look at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments, through our microscope.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over talking about drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over talking about drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready to discuss drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
USGS geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready to discuss drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Alfredo Aretxabaleta (USGS Research and Equipment Development Grade Evaluation (RGE-EDGE) Senior Scientist) showing off the jenga set at the Woods Hole Diversity Committee booth at the Woods Hole Science Stroll. They chose to have jenga at the booth to represent different people working together to keep the structure standing.
Alfredo Aretxabaleta (USGS Research and Equipment Development Grade Evaluation (RGE-EDGE) Senior Scientist) showing off the jenga set at the Woods Hole Diversity Committee booth at the Woods Hole Science Stroll. They chose to have jenga at the booth to represent different people working together to keep the structure standing.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
The Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee booth at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
The Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee booth at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Chris Polloni, a retired scientist who had a long career with USGS, with Kate and Seth Ackerman at the Woods Hole Science Stroll. Chris was known to always have a coffee mug in his hand and today was no different!
Chris Polloni, a retired scientist who had a long career with USGS, with Kate and Seth Ackerman at the Woods Hole Science Stroll. Chris was known to always have a coffee mug in his hand and today was no different!
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
A curious young man, assissted by Marie Bartlett (USGS Geologist), looks through a microscope at the USGS booth at the Woods Hole Science Stroll to view foraminifera, tiny microfossils that live in marine environments.
A curious young man, assissted by Marie Bartlett (USGS Geologist), looks through a microscope at the USGS booth at the Woods Hole Science Stroll to view foraminifera, tiny microfossils that live in marine environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Zafer Defne (USGS Oceanographer) discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Zafer Defne (USGS Oceanographer) discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Seth Ackerman (USGS Geologist) discussing USGS science at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Seth Ackerman (USGS Geologist) discussing USGS science at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Science and Products
State of Our Nation's Coast
Discover USGS products, tools, and data with the Coastal Science Navigator! The Coastal Science Navigator serves as a gateway to USGS Coastal Change Hazards resources and assists users in finding products and tools that will meet their specific needs.
Coastal Change Hazards
Natural processes such as waves, tides, and weather, continually change coastal landscapes. The integrity of coastal homes, businesses, and infrastructure can be threatened by hazards associated with event-driven changes, such as extreme storms and their impacts on beach and dune erosion, or longer-term, cumulative changes associated with coastal and marine processes, such as sea-level rise...
Filter Total Items: 37
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Oceanographer Zafer Defne discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Oceanographer Zafer Defne discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll holding one of our drones.
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll holding one of our drones.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready to discuss drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
USGS geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready to discuss drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready for visitors to look at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments, through our microscope.
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready for visitors to look at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments, through our microscope.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Oceanographer Zafer Defne discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Oceanographer Zafer Defne discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
The Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee booth at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
The Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee booth at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer and drone pilot Jen Cramer showing visitors USGS uncrewed aircraft system technology and talking about how drones are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
USGS Geographer and drone pilot Jen Cramer showing visitors USGS uncrewed aircraft system technology and talking about how drones are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over talking about drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over talking about drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer Jen Cramer showing off our uncrewed aircraft system technology at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Geographer Jen Cramer showing off our uncrewed aircraft system technology at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Microscope station at the USGS booth of the Woods Hole Science Stroll, looking at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments.
Microscope station at the USGS booth of the Woods Hole Science Stroll, looking at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett talking about foraminifera, tiny microfossils that live in marine environments, while a little girl looks at them through the microscope.
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett talking about foraminifera, tiny microfossils that live in marine environments, while a little girl looks at them through the microscope.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
A small drone on display at the USGS booth of the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
A small drone on display at the USGS booth of the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready for visitors to look at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments, through our microscope.
USGS Geologist Marie Bartlett at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready for visitors to look at foraminifera, microfossils that live in marine environments, through our microscope.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over talking about drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Geographer Jin-Si Over talking about drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
USGS geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready to discuss drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
USGS geographer Jin-Si Over at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll, ready to discuss drones and how they are used to map short- and long-term changes in coastal environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Alfredo Aretxabaleta (USGS Research and Equipment Development Grade Evaluation (RGE-EDGE) Senior Scientist) showing off the jenga set at the Woods Hole Diversity Committee booth at the Woods Hole Science Stroll. They chose to have jenga at the booth to represent different people working together to keep the structure standing.
Alfredo Aretxabaleta (USGS Research and Equipment Development Grade Evaluation (RGE-EDGE) Senior Scientist) showing off the jenga set at the Woods Hole Diversity Committee booth at the Woods Hole Science Stroll. They chose to have jenga at the booth to represent different people working together to keep the structure standing.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
The Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee booth at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
The Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee booth at the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Chris Polloni, a retired scientist who had a long career with USGS, with Kate and Seth Ackerman at the Woods Hole Science Stroll. Chris was known to always have a coffee mug in his hand and today was no different!
Chris Polloni, a retired scientist who had a long career with USGS, with Kate and Seth Ackerman at the Woods Hole Science Stroll. Chris was known to always have a coffee mug in his hand and today was no different!
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
A curious young man, assissted by Marie Bartlett (USGS Geologist), looks through a microscope at the USGS booth at the Woods Hole Science Stroll to view foraminifera, tiny microfossils that live in marine environments.
A curious young man, assissted by Marie Bartlett (USGS Geologist), looks through a microscope at the USGS booth at the Woods Hole Science Stroll to view foraminifera, tiny microfossils that live in marine environments.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Zafer Defne (USGS Oceanographer) discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Zafer Defne (USGS Oceanographer) discussing operational ocean and coastal dynamics forecasts at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Woods Hole Science Stroll 2024
Seth Ackerman (USGS Geologist) discussing USGS science at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Seth Ackerman (USGS Geologist) discussing USGS science at the Woods Hole Science Stroll.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government