The LowCountry Institute

Dr. Chris Marsh - Executive Director

Prior to moving to the Lowcountry in June 1998, Dr. Marsh was a biology professor at Coastal Carolina University where he taught ornithology, ecology, and animal behavior. While at Coastal Carolina he also served as a regional director of a statewide program to improve math and science education in South Carolina. He has over 10 years of experience as an environmental consultant and has worked with the SC Department of Natural Resources on coastal shorebird populations.

Tony Mills - Education Director

Tony has been working in the field of environmental education for two decades. Prior to arriving at the LowCountry Institute, Tony was the educational outreach program coordinator for the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. These programs included lectures, video and television appearances, field trips, teacher workshops, and exhibits. Past research trips have taken him on excursions into the jungles of Mexico and Costa Rica to conduct studies on snakes and lizards and to the everglades of southern Florida to collect introduced pythons and endangered crocodiles.

Dr. David Bishop - Natural Resources

David started working with the LowCountry Institute in September 2005. David grew up in Florence, SC. He completed a bachelor's degree in biology at Presbyterian College (Clinton, SC) in 1992, after which he taught high school biology and physical science. David completed his master's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee in 2000 and his PhD from Virginia Tech in Wildlife Science in 2005. Previous research has focused on the behavior and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

Lisa Gravil - Administrative Assistant

Prior to moving to the Lowcountry, she was administrative assistant for the Environmental, Health and Safety Department at International Paper for 5 years. She also worked for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and was the Office Manager/Certified Dental Assistant for Dr. James E. Newman in Fairfax, South Carolina for 17 years. (Pictured with her dog Dixie)

Sarah Ernst - Education Intern

Sarah graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2005 with a BA in philosophy. After graduating, she spent a year in Wyoming as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer before arriving at the LowCountry Institute. Pictured with an Eastern Box Turtle.

Mission Statement Volunteer Opportunities Donate to LCI LCI in the News Institute Staff Publications Our Partners		Dr. Chris Marsh - Executive Director Prior to moving to the Lowcountry in June 1998, Dr. Marsh was a biology professor at Coastal Carolina University where he taught ornithology, ecology, and animal behavior. While at Coastal Carolina he also served as a regional director of a statewide program to improve math and science education in South Carolina. He has over 10 years of experience as an environmental consultant and has worked with the SC Department of Natural Resources on coastal shorebird populations.
		Tony Mills - Education Director Tony has been working in the field of environmental education for two decades. Prior to arriving at the LowCountry Institute, Tony was the educational outreach program coordinator for the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. These programs included lectures, video and television appearances, field trips, teacher workshops, and exhibits. Past research trips have taken him on excursions into the jungles of Mexico and Costa Rica to conduct studies on snakes and lizards and to the everglades of southern Florida to collect introduced pythons and endangered crocodiles.
		Dr. David Bishop - Natural Resources David started working with the LowCountry Institute in September 2005. David grew up in Florence, SC. He completed a bachelor's degree in biology at Presbyterian College (Clinton, SC) in 1992, after which he taught high school biology and physical science. David completed his master's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee in 2000 and his PhD from Virginia Tech in Wildlife Science in 2005. Previous research has focused on the behavior and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.
		Lisa Gravil - Administrative Assistant Prior to moving to the Lowcountry, she was administrative assistant for the Environmental, Health and Safety Department at International Paper for 5 years. She also worked for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and was the Office Manager/Certified Dental Assistant for Dr. James E. Newman in Fairfax, South Carolina for 17 years. (Pictured with her dog Dixie)
		Sarah Ernst - Education Intern Sarah graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2005 with a BA in philosophy. After graduating, she spent a year in Wyoming as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer before arriving at the LowCountry Institute. Pictured with an Eastern Box Turtle.