LIISMA TEAM
Bill Jacobs
Program Manager
Bill served as the Founding Director of LIISMA from 2001 to 2006. He returned to LIISMA in April 2019 as the LIISMA Program Manager. Bill has extensive experience in ecology, conservation planning, organizational development, and invasive species management. Bill has a B.B.A. in Business Administration from Dowling College and an M.S. in Forest Resources Management from SUNY ESF. Prior to returning to LIISMA, Bill worked as an Invasive Species Project Director for The Nature Conservancy and a Senior Ecologist for GEI Consultants. Bill volunteers as the founder and executive director of a faith-based conservation group.
Email: bill@liisma.org
Abby Bezrutczyk Marino
Conservation Area Manager
Abby joined the LIISMA team in March 2021. She received her B.S. in environmental science from Cornell University, where she worked in the Blossey lab studying the plant-soil interactions of invasive Brachypodium and Lonicera. Her work as the communications coordinator for the NY Invasive Species Research Institute gave her experience in writing, social media, and graphic design for this field. Her work with North Shore Land Alliance also gave Abby training in stewardship and invasive management on Long Island, prompting her interest in native plants and ecological restoration. In addition to her work at LIISMA, she is currently pursuing a masters degree in Energy & Environmental Management at the University of Connecticut.
Email: abby@liisma.org
Melody Cerniglia
Early Detection and Rapid Response Manager
Melody Penny joined the LIISMA staff in April 2022. She graduated from SUNY Farmingdale in 2022 with a B.T. in Horticultural Technology Management, a Credential in Sustainable Land Management and a Minor in Business Management. Melody spent much of her time studying in the botany and entomology labs researching plant-insect relationships, plant systematics, soil science, plant taxonomy, and human impacts on ecological communities. Through her background in horticulture, passions for ecosystem servicing, and interest in environmental law, her aim has always been geared towards site conservation and restoration. As Melody grew in this field, and gained valuable field experience throughout her decade long role as a crew manager installing and maintaining sustainable landscapes, she learned about invasive species and their impact on vulnerable ecosystems; this led her to pursue a career in ecological restoration broadly, and invasive species in particular.
Email: melody@liisma.org
Kassidy Robinson
Education and Outreach Manager
Kassidy joined LIISMA staff as Education and Outreach Manager in December 2022. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2019 with a B.S. in environmental science and a focus in ecology. Since then, she has had several internships across New York managing invasive species, restoring habitat, and informing the public on conservation issues. Kassidy became interested in invasive species while serving as crew leader for the Lower Hudson PRISM’s Terrestrial Invasive Strike Force, where she developed skills in invasive plant management, leadership, and science communication. She has also worked at Vassar Preserve and the Central Pine Barrens Commission executing various stewardship, habitat restoration, and research projects. Kassidy is passionate about cultivating positive relationships with the land and encouraging others to do so in her career and beyond.
Email: kassidy@liisma.org
