Program & Field Coordinator
Sandy Elsberry
Sandy is Morpho's Program & Field Coordinator and an elementary science teacher in Kansas City, Missouri. In her daily work, she inspires young learners to explore and wonder about the natural world. Sandy has been traveling to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest since 2000—individually, with student and parent groups, and in partnership with the Morpho Institute. These experiences deeply enrich her teaching and fuel her commitment to connecting students with real-world science and global perspectives. Sandy plays a central role in planning, facilitating, and supporting Morpho’s field-based educator programs in the Amazon—work that blends behind-the-scenes logistics, community-centered facilitation, and post-program engagement.
email: sandy@morphoinstitute.org
Field Program Faculty
Becca Brunner, PhD — Smithsonian Institution
Becca Brunner is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Smithsonian whose work bridges tropical ecology, community-based conservation, and science communication. She brings deep expertise in Amazon biodiversity and a passion for helping educators connect field research to powerful classroom learning.
Carissa Ganong, PhD - Missouri Western State University
Carissa Ganong is a freshwater ecologist and professor whose research focuses on tropical streams, insect communities, and environmental change. She excels at making complex ecological processes accessible for educators in the field and beyond.
Jessica Honaker, MS - The Bug Chicks
Jessica Honaker is an entomologist and co-founder of The Bug Chicks, where she uses insects to teach science, empathy, and empowerment. She brings hands-on expertise in invertebrate biology and award-winning science communication to Morpho’s field programs.
Randy Morgan, MS - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Emeritus)
Randy Morgan is the emeritus curator of invertebrates at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and a lifelong champion for insect conservation. His vast field experience and deep knowledge of Amazon invertebrates help educators see the rainforest in entirely new ways.
Cinda Murray, EdD - Geronimo Public High School
Cinda Murray is an educator and researcher specializing in experiential learning and global education. She has led international workshops and student-driven conservation projects that inspire young people to investigate local issues and take action. Her work combines field research and program evaluation to help teachers connect inquiry with real-world environmental stewardship.
Rob Naczi, PhD - New York Botanical Garden
Rob Naczi is a leading botanist at the New York Botanical Garden and an expert in sedge taxonomy and Amazon plant diversity. His field-based teaching helps educators develop strong botanical skills and a deeper appreciation of rainforest ecosystems.
Anita Palmer, BS — GIS & Spatial Education Specialist
Anita Palmer is a pioneering educator and the first ever GIS-Focused Education Fellow for National Geographic Society, with more than 25 years advancing geographic information systems in K-12 settings. She founded GISetc to provide professional development, curriculum, and field-based mapping experiences that empower teachers and students to use spatial data for inquiry, conservation, and global citizenship.
David Pearson, PhD - Arizona State University
David Pearson is an ornithologist and conservation biologist at Arizona State University known for his work on tropical birds, ecology, and biodiversity monitoring. With decades of experience in the Amazon, he supports educators in linking citizen science to global conservation efforts.
Kristie Reddick, MS - The Bug Chicks
Kristie Reddick is an entomologist, award-winning science communicator, and the lead storyteller behind The Bug Chicks. Known for turning fear into fascination, she uses arthropods to teach confidence, curiosity, and empathy. Her expertise and energy make invertebrate biology engaging and accessible for educators in the Amazon and beyond.
Jeannine Richards, PhD - Florida Gulf Coast University
Jeannine Richards is a biologist whose research spans plant–animal interactions, ecology, and environmental education. She is dedicated to helping teachers connect scientific inquiry with real-world conservation challenges.
Marie Trone, PhD - Valencia College
Marie Trone is a marine and terrestrial biologist whose work includes primate behavior, bats, and neotropical ecology. She brings a multidisciplinary lens to the field, helping educators explore the rainforest through multiple scientific perspectives.
