Dave Berndtson

Dave joined GMRI as a communications specialist in 2020. In this role, he helps develop communications strategies, assists with website development including writing and editing stories, and uses other tools like social media to amplify the work done by his colleagues.

Dave graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2012, where he double majored in biology in psychology.

He is passionate about sharing the beauty of nature with others, environmental stewardship, and about the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity. As a registered Maine Guide, an L3 river canoeing instructor, and a SCUBA diver, he has safely led teenagers and adults on trips through pristine and beautiful wildernesses in Belize, Costa Rica, and the state of Maine for over six years.

Following a stint at PBS NewsHour where he wrote online science stories, Dave attended the University of Washington where he received his master's from the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. While there, he worked as an invertebrate zoology teaching assistant, as a laboratory technician working with octopuses in the Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, and on a CAPSTONE project where he interviewed leaders of marine-related learning networks around the world.

When not working, you will most likely find Dave tidepooling, canoeing, eating pizza, and gardening.