Ryan Fikes

Ryan Fikes has extensive experience in the field of coastal ecology and habitat restoration. Ryan is currently working as an Environmental Scientist and Project Manager at Freese and Nichols, where they specialize in developing innovative approaches to conserve and restore ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Prior to this, they served as a Program Coordinator at Restore America's Estuaries. From 2013 to 2020, Ryan worked as a Staff Scientist at the National Wildlife Federation, focusing on habitat restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Before that, they held positions at the Gulf of Mexico Foundation as Deputy Director and Restoration Program Manager, where they collaborated with various stakeholders to promote conservation in the Gulf. Ryan also has experience in academia, having worked as a Lab Operations Coordinator at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's Harte Research Institute and as a Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant and Research Coordinator at the same university.

Ryan Fikes has a solid education history with a focus on marine biology and biology. Ryan obtained their Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where they studied from 2001 to 2004. Ryan further pursued their academic journey at the same institution, completing a Master of Science (MS) degree in Marine Biology from 2005 to 2008. During their master's studies, they specialized in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography. Additionally, in 2008, they attained another Master of Science (MS) degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Ryan Fikes recently obtained certification as a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner from the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) in December 2020.