About

Lou Pugliese was the founding Chief Executive Officer of Blackboard Inc., where he played a central role in establishing and scaling the company into one of the world’s Largest and most influential digital learning platforms. He later served as Chief Executive Officer of UMUC Ventures, a nonprofit social impact fund at the University of Maryland that invests in and manages early-stage education technology enterprises. At Arizona State University, Lou led evidence-based applied research initiatives focused on building advanced business intelligence systems and robust data environments designed to monitor learner progress, influence the teaching practice, and predict student success. Much of Lou’s research has contributed to advancing higher education policy and practice.

Alyssa has 9 years of experience working in shellfish farming, both in commercial and academic settings. Alyssa manages daily operations at the University of Delaware’s pilot shellfish hatchery, which aims to support industry and restoration efforts. She’s also working on research that focuses on how microbes impact oyster production.

Brendan has over 10 years of combined experience working on shellfish farms and researching topics on fisheries and aquaculture. Brendan is currently a researcher at The University of Delaware, working with local communities to understand the biological response to shoreline resiliency projects aimed at protecting vital infrastructure, the effects of water motion on aquaculture production, and technologies to improve the monitoring of oyster reefs.

Rileigh is a Lead Lab Technician at the University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy with experience in oyster aquaculture, restoration ecology, and data analysis. She has been conducting oyster research since 2022, focusing on how environmental conditions and physical processes shape oyster growth and survival for restoration success. Her work bridges field-based research and data-driven approaches to support sustainable aquaculture and coastal restoration

Anna’s interest in environmental issues stems from her time working at the Center for the Inland Bays, another nonprofit organization in southern Delaware. During her tenure there, she sought to raise awareness of the Inland Bays aquaculture industry and coordinated efforts to address some of the issues the industry faces. Anna now serves as Town Manager for Henlopen Acres and remains passionate about environmental restoration, resiliency, and having a positive impact on the local community. Anna holds a Master of Science in Food Systems and Society from Marylhurst University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware. She is an appointee to the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission and serves as Chair of the Grants Committee for The Next Generation – Southern Delaware.

Dennis is currently in his 21st year at Delaware State University (DSU), where he is a Professor and Extension Specialist working in Aquaculture. Dr. McIntosh manages the DSU Aquaculture Research and Demonstration Facility and has extensive experience managing staff, projects, and budgets. His professional qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in Marine Resource Management from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 1994, a Master’s degree in Mariculture from Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi in 1999, and a Ph.D. in Soil, Water and Environmental Science from the University of Arizona in 2002. Over the last five years, he has begun working more and more with shellfish in both research and extension capacities in an effort to provide support to the burgeoning shellfish aquaculture industry in DE.