Stephanie Gandulla has been named superintendent of the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday. Her appointment took effect Sept. 21.
Gandulla previously served as research protection coordinator at NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Michigan. She is a maritime archaeologist with experience in Great Lakes research, marine resource protection and public education.
In her new role, Gandulla will lead the Lake Ontario sanctuary team and work with communities and partner organizations to protect the region's maritime heritage and marine resources, according to NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
NOAA said she helped support the development and management of the Lake Ontario sanctuary before her selection as superintendent. Her background also includes research and monitoring, outreach and programs connecting the public with the Great Lakes' natural and cultural resources.
Great Lakes experience
At Thunder Bay, Gandulla worked with government agencies, Tribal partners, local communities, veterans, researchers and educators, NOAA said. Those partnerships focused on conservation, scientific work and public engagement with historic resources.
NOAA describes the Lake Ontario sanctuary's maritime heritage as nationally significant. Gandulla's appointment puts a longtime sanctuary-system employee in charge of coordinating its protection and research work with communities and other partners.
The agency said it expects her experience in resource protection and collaboration to guide the sanctuary's next phase. NOAA did not announce a change to the sanctuary's name in its appointment notice.
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