Diversity in Coastal Marine Sciences

Charles W. Finkl has edited and/or contributed to more than eight volumes in the Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. For the past 30 years he has been the Executive Director of the Coastal Education & Research Foundation and Editor-in-Chief of the international Journal of Coastal Research, In addition to these duties, he is Professor Emeritus at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, USA. He is a graduate of the University of Western Australia (Perth) and previously worked for a wholly owned Australian subsidiary of the International Nickel Company of Canada (INCO). During his career, he acquired field experience in Australia; the Caribbean; South America; SW Pacific islands; southern Africa; Western Europe; and the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Southeast USA.Christopher Makowski is the Assistant Director of the Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Inc. (CERF) and the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the international Journal of Coastal Research (JCR). He has published numerous peer reviewed papers, authored several chapters, and co-edited and/or contributed to various volumes in Springer's Coastal Research Library (CRL) Series. In addition to these accomplishments, he is professionally recognized by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), served as the Assistant Director of the Marine Science and Biological Research Division at the coastal engineering firm, Coastal Planning & Engineering (CPE), and held the position of Principle Marine Scientist for the municipality of Collier County, Florida, U.S.A. He is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University  and has earned degrees with an emphasis on remote sensing of biogeomorphological resources (Ph.D.) and marine ecosystem diversity and conservation (Master's of Science). In addition to his academic and professional career, Dr. Makowski is also a certified Master Scuba Diver Trainer through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Other professional registrationsand certifications include: Journal of Coastal Research (JCR) Editorial Board Member, The International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS) Member, The Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (FAEP) Chapter Member, American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Registered Diving Safety Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Member, Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF) Board of Directors (Trustees), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Certified Marine Mammal and Protected Species Observer, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor, PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor, Emergency First Responder (CPR/FirstAid/AED) Instructor, PADI Specialty Underwater Photographer Instructor, and Divers Alert Network (DAN) Sustaining Member.