Staff » People

Photo of Behzad Aghdashi Behzad Aghdashi Director of the McTrans Center
352-294-3095

Dr. Aghdashi’s areas of expertise include traffic operations on surface streets, simulation analysis, software development, and mathematical optimization. He has over ten years of professional experience focusing on research in transportation engineering. He was involved in several funded NCHRP, SHRP 2, FHWA, NCDOT, STRIDE, and University of Maryland projects. Dr. Aghdashi serves as a member for TRB Committee on Highway Capacity and Quality of Service (AHB40).…

Photo of Anja Arola Anja Arola Research Administrator II
352-273-1352
Photo of Sharon Austin Sharon Austin Administrative Assistant I
(352) 294-7756
Photo of Ines Aviles-Spadoni Ines Aviles-Spadoni Research Programs Coordinator
352-294-7803

Born in Puerto Rico, grew up living in four countries (Panama, Philippines, Spain, and Turkey), and have traveled to many others while my father served as an doctor in the U.S. Air Force. After moving back back to Puerto Rico and settling into a lovely beach house overlooking the Caribbean, I completed my bachelor’s degree on the island and graduated with a master’s degree from Michigan State University.…

Photo of Shannon Black Shannon Black Fiscal Assistant III
352-294-7819
Photo of Lauren Bloch Lauren Bloch Research Administrator I
(352) 294-2895
Photo of Henry Bollmann Henry Bollmann Senior Engineer
352-294-7835

Henry Bollmann has had direct experience with the development and use of FB-MultiPier since its inception in the early 1990s. His more than thirty years of professional experience make him well suited for the position of Senior Engineer at BSI. His duties include prioritizing development of FB-MultiPier features, training engineers in the area of bridge modeling, and providing technical support.…

Photo of Charles Brown Charles Brown Research Communications Writer/Editor
352-273-1677

I worked as a chemist for almost 20 years in research labs at UF, mostly in kidney stone research (I even had a couple!). I transitioned to research communications in the 1990s, starting in IFAS as an editor for the Extension Service. I worked for over ten years in Ag-Bio Engineering with ag safety and disaster preparedness programs.…

Photo of Melissa Centurion Melissa Centurion Administrative Support AST II
352-392-6115

I have been with Environmental Engineering Sciences since 2006.
Duties
Asset Management, Space Utilization, Academic Activity Reporting, Shipping and Receiving packages and mail for Black Hall. Assisting with Building issues and Directory of information for our faculty and students.

Photo of Jonathan Czerenda Jonathan Czerenda Program Assistant
352-294-3096

Area within ESSIE
McTrans Center

Photo of Justin R. Davis Justin Davis Research Assistant Scientist
(352) 294-7810

Using the latest advances in technology, my research program primarily focuses on the theory and technological development necessary to advance science, education, and observation of the coastal and estuarine environment.

US Patent No. 10,436,625: Interferometric doppler radar and method for wave and water level measurement
Duties
Numerical modeling, Sensor networking, cyberphysical laboratory testing, ESSIE/Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering IT Support: Networking, Unix/Linux System Administration, HPC Cyberinfrastructure Manager, UF NHERI Experimental Facility.…

Photo of Shen Dong Shen Dong Application Developer Analyst IV
352-294-3090

Area within ESSIE
McTrans Center

Photo of Lee Duda Lee Duda Store Rec

Area within ESSIE
McTrans Center

Photo of Dan Harloff Dan Harloff Associate Director of Administrative Services
(352) 273-3998

A native of Gainesville, FL. Served in the US Air Force for 8 years as an Avionics Technician on F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor aircraft. Returned to Gainesville to be close to family and attend graduate school at UF. Worked in Health Administration since 2012, first at the VA Medical Center, then in the College of Medicine with the Division of Gastroenterology.…

Photo of Paula Hendrix Paula Hendrix Academic Program Specialist I
352-294-9168

Originally from Jamaica, Paula moved to Florida when she was very young and lived in the South Florida area until moving to Gainesville for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After her master’s program, she decided to pursue a career in academic support services due to her passion for helping individuals. She has been in Gainesville for 10 years and in the last 3 years, she has been fortunate enough to be able to serve UF as a professional, assisting students in their goals!…

Photo of Barbi Jackson Barbi Jackson Academic Assistant III
352-392-8450

I am a pluviophile. I am a dendrophile. Trees are awesome. Music makes the world go round. Animals.<3
Duties

  • Academic Office Staff Coordinator
  • Transfer Admission
  • Registration/Drops/Holds
  • Course Scheduling
  • Academic Advising
  • Grades/Grade Changes
  • Graduation Certification
  • Academic Approval Tracking
  • Petitions
  • Departmental Statistics

Area within ESSIE
Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences – Undergraduate Program

Photo of G. Chip Johnson G. Chip Johnson Advisor Extraordinaire
352-294-6696

I am an Advising professional with over 17 years of experience dedicated to assisting students with reaching for and finding their success. In my personal life, I am a massive fan of the transformative properties of travel. One of the things I love to do most is explore new cultures while visiting new and exciting places.…

Photo of Pamela Johnson Pamela Johnson Administrative Support AST II
352-294-3098

Area within ESSIE
McTrans Center

Photo of Kimberly Krueger Kimberly Krueger Human Resources Generalist II
352-294-7776

I am a Florida native and came to work for UF in 2013, starting in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation in Human Resources. I came to the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering in 2015.
Duties
Human Resources Manager for ESSIE, responsible for overseeing all Personnel and Payroll functions for the department.
Areas within ESSIE
Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering and Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences

Photo of Christina Lake Christina Lake Fiscal Assistant I
352-294-7756
Photo of Reba Liddy Reba Liddy ESSIE Marketing & Communications Specialist
352-392-7344

Reba Liddy serves as the marketing and communication specialist for the Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering and the Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences within the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment. Reba manages ESSIE’s social media accounts, website and communications between the School and the public. If you have any media inquiries, please email Reba.…

Photo of Jasper Masciocchi Jasper Masciocchi Education and Training Specialist
352-273-1685

Jasper works in the University of Florida’s T2 Center as an Education Training Specialist. She graduated from University of South Florida in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering, focusing in Transportation and Geotechnical engineering. Prior to joining the University of Florida, she gained a decade of professional experience in the private sector of engineering and surveying, mainly in production and project management.…

Photo of Marie McConnell Marie McConnell Fiscal Assistant II
352-294-7780

Duties
Process PCards and help with other fiscal duties when needed.
Areas within ESSIE
Center for Environmental Policy, Center for Infrastructure Protection and Physical Security, Florida Bridge Software Institute, Florida Transportation Technology Transfer Center, Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Howard T. Odum Center for Wetlands, McTrans Center, Water Resources Research Center, Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering Laboratory, Powell Structures Laboratory, Particle Engineering Research Center, UF Transportation Institute, UF Water Institute

Photo of Nancy McIlrath Nancy McIlrath Graduate Academic Coordinator
352-294-7801

I have been privileged to work in Higher Education for over 30 years.My career started at the community college-level and I held positions in Student Affairs at three different institutions over a 17 year period. I have worn many hats throughout the years some of which include: International Advisor, Interim Honors Program Director, Counselor, Instructor, Coach and Cheerleading Sponsor.…

Photo of Travis Meyer Travis Meyer Research Administrator I
352-294-7773
Photo of Sonja Mincey Sonja Mincey Program Assistant
352-294-3097

Area within ESSIE
UF Transportation Institute
McTrans Center – Auxiliary Center

 

Photo of Clint Monari Clint Monari IT Expert
(352) 294-7832

Clint Monari is the lead UI developer for all BSI software. He manages UI personnel and is in charge of maintenance and enhancement of all UI source code, including FB-MultiPier, FB-Deep, and Atlas. A graduate of the University of Florida, he has accumulated more than ten years of experience in developing BSI software.

Photo of Annie Muscato Annie Muscato Director of Development
352-294-7948
Photo of Anand Patil Anand Patil Research Program Coordinator III
352-294-7834

Area within ESSIE
Bridge Software Institute

Photo of Cary Peterson Cary Peterson Computer Operator II
352-294-9537
Photo of Scott Powell Scott Powell Lab Manager
352-273-0187

Duties

  • Operations Manager for the Powell Family Structures and Materials Laboratory.
  • Operations Manager for the Coastal Research Facility

Area within ESSIE
Powell Structures Laboratory
Education
BBA, Administration, University of Oklahoma

Photo of David Reddig David Reddig IT Technical Support
352-273-2097

Duties

  • Intake and inventory new ESSIE computer assets
  • Survey old computer equipment for surplus property
  • Image computers
  • Secure erase old computers for disposal
  • Support Faculty and Staff end users
  • Provide IT support to ESSIE Graduate Students
  • Affix and scan UF Property decals as required
  • Troubleshoot connectivity issues
  • Provide IT support to the Water Institute

Area within ESSIE
Information Technology

Photo of Sharon Ryan Sharon Ryan Associate Director, Strategy & Communications

Before joining UF, Sharon worked globally in senior leadership roles in science communications, education and public engagement for institutes such as the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama and the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University of NL, a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, and a Master of Environmental Education and Communications from Royal Roads University.…

Photo of Sean Samford Sean Samford Education/Training Spec I
352-273-1658

Sean’s many years of background are divided between computer support and customer support. He has worked computer support call centers for major manufacturers, fielding the vast range of questions posed by home and business users. Patient and focused, Sean emphasizes doing his job well and providing excellent, timely service.
Duties
His primary responsibility at the T2 Center is maintenance of the computers and related equipment.…

Photo of Paul Simpson Paul Simpson Training Specialist
352-273-1694

Duties
I run the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Resource Center. This effort is funded by FDOT and housed on the East Campus on Waldo Rd.
Area within ESSIE
Florida Transportation Technology Transfer Center
Education
B.A., Communication, 1996, Colorado State U

Photo of Sandra M St Clair Sandra St Clair Administrative Specialist II
352-294-7758

Bachelor’s Degree, Marketing

Photo of Sharlynn Sweeney Sharlynn Sweeney Communications Specialist
352-392-2424

I received a dual BS in Marine Science & Biology from UM, had a brief stint as a zookeeper, then moved to Gainesville and worked as a biological scientist in a neuropharmacology lab at UF. I returned to school and earned a PhD at UF in 2009. While writing my dissertation, I started working at the Center for Wetlands full-time as a Program Coordinator and 12 years later I’m now the Communications Specialist.…

Photo of Randal Switt Randal Switt Assistant In
(352) 392-3533

Area within ESSIE
Information Technology

Photo of Samantha Taningco Samantha Taningco Engineer II
352-392-0378

Area within ESSIE
McTrans Center

Photo of Keri Taylor Keri Taylor Human Resources Generalist I
352-294-7772

Education
B.S. in Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics, 1977, University of Florida
M.S., Food and Resource Economics, 1980, University of Florida

Photo of Susan Triana Susan Triana Research Coordinator III
352-294-7792

Area within ESSIE
Powell Family Structures and Materials Laboratory

Photo of Patricia Turner Patricia Turner Research Coordinator
352-273-1671

Patricia is an experienced traffic safety researcher and having held research positions at academic institutions in Texas and Florida. Ms. Turner‚ conducted studies for Federal and state departments of transportation and public safety and served on numerous panels and committees to improve traffic safety. Patricia’s published work includes studies of motorcycles, pedestrians, bicyclists, alcohol, school bus, school-age children and young and older drivers.…

Photo of Todd Van Natta Todd Van Natta Research Coordinator II

Duties
Support the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment, responsible for supporting basic and applied research projects conducted in the field and in the laboratory. Perform extensive aquatic-related fieldwork, including instrument programming and maintenance, diving, and vessel handling operations.
Education
B.S., Marine Biology, 2014, University of California Santa Cruz