Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy

Staff Bios

Susan Nicholson
Susan Nicholson, Executive Director, is a lifelong resident of Augusta. She graduated with a B.S. from the Medical College of Georgia School of Allied Health Sciences. She served a 15 county area as Area Director for U.S. Senator Wyche Fowler. Susan and a fellow consultant facilitated the successful merger of the YMCA and YWCA into the Family Y. She was Development Director for the Augusta Ballet and has served as a Director on many community non-profit Boards. She is currently Grants Chairman for the newly created Women in Philanthropy organization.

Oscar Flite III, Ph.D.
Oscar P. Flite III is the Academy's Interim Research Director. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from State University of New York at Oswego, a Master’s Degree in Environmental Pollution Control from Pennsylvania State University, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Clemson University. His research has focused on biogeochemical processes and bioremediation within constructed wetlands, riparian buffers, lakes, and rivers.

Bobbie Jo Gainey
Bobbie Jo Gainey is the Academy’s Office and Events Manager. A native of Enterprise, Alabama, Bobbie Jo received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Troy University. Her background includes sales, marketing, and public relations. In her spare time, Bobbie Jo enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.

Aaliyah Green
Aaliyah Green, Education Specialist, received a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Sciences from Rutgers University and a Master's Degree in Ecology from the University of Georgia. Aaliyah joins the Academy from the Sanannah River Ecology Laboratory, where she conducted research on mercury contamination in diamondback terrapins and Asian turtles.

Ruth Mead
Ruth Mead, Senior Education Specialist, has a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry from North Carolina State University. Ruth has over 14 years experience in forestry and several years of service as a community volunteer. Ruth recently received the Audubon Society Certificate of Appreciation and led the Academy's Adopt-a-Stream club to receiving a national Take Pride in America award from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Jason Moak
Jason Moak is the Academy's Senior Research Scientist. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Augusta State University. Jason has eight years of research experience on southeastern lakes and rivers, including fish, wildlife, plant, and water quality research and impact analysis. Jason is the Secretary/Treasurer for the South Carolina chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

Chenille Williams
Chenille Williams, Education Specialist, received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She conducted graduate work in zoology at North Carolina State University, where she worked with telemetry studies and flying squirrels in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Susan Nicholson
Susan Nicholson, Executive Director, is a lifelong resident of Augusta. She graduated with a B.S. from the Medical College of Georgia School of Allied Health Sciences. She served a 15 county area as Area Director for U.S. Senator Wyche Fowler. Susan and a fellow consultant facilitated the successful merger of the YMCA and YWCA into the Family Y. She was Development Director for the Augusta Ballet and has served as a Director on many community non-profit Boards. She is currently Grants Chairman for the newly created Women in Philanthropy organization.

Oscar Flite III, Ph.D.
Oscar P. Flite III is the Academy's Interim Research Director. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from State University of New York at Oswego, a Master’s Degree in Environmental Pollution Control from Pennsylvania State University, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Clemson University. His research has focused on biogeochemical processes and bioremediation within constructed wetlands, riparian buffers, lakes, and rivers.

Bobbie Jo Gainey
Bobbie Jo Gainey is the Academy’s Office and Events Manager. A native of Enterprise, Alabama, Bobbie Jo received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Troy University. Her background includes sales, marketing, and public relations. In her spare time, Bobbie Jo enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.

Aaliyah Green
Aaliyah Green, Education Specialist, received a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Sciences from Rutgers University and a Master's Degree in Ecology from the University of Georgia. Aaliyah joins the Academy from the Sanannah River Ecology Laboratory, where she conducted research on mercury contamination in diamondback terrapins and Asian turtles.

Ruth Mead
Ruth Mead, Senior Education Specialist, has a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry from North Carolina State University. Ruth has over 14 years experience in forestry and several years of service as a community volunteer. Ruth recently received the Audubon Society Certificate of Appreciation and led the Academy's Adopt-a-Stream club to receiving a national Take Pride in America award from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Jason Moak
Jason Moak is the Academy's Senior Research Scientist. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Augusta State University. Jason has eight years of research experience on southeastern lakes and rivers, including fish, wildlife, plant, and water quality research and impact analysis. Jason is the Secretary/Treasurer for the South Carolina chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

Chenille Williams
Chenille Williams, Education Specialist, received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She conducted graduate work in zoology at North Carolina State University, where she worked with telemetry studies and flying squirrels in the Great Smoky Mountains.