About Us
Mission & Vision
Paua Marine Research Group is dedicated to furthering biological knowledge of coastal habitats and protected species to promote effective management and conservation activities. We are passionate, collaborative and effective in performing field research and developing high-quality project deliverables. We aim to become a regionally recognized name in marine research, capitalizing on a consistent need for data and analysis. Our goal is to get out on the water, answer difficult research questions and have a good time doing it.
Background
Paua Marine Research Group was founded in January 2016 in San Diego, California to provide quality public and private sector marine and estuarine biological consulting services in support of species’ and habitat conservation and effective management in Southern California. We specialize in estuarine and marine intertidal and subtidal ecology, particularly in eelgrass, kelp forest, and soft bottom habitats and protected and/or endangered species such as rockfish and abalone. This work includes the preparation of mitigation and restoration plans and implementation of monitoring strategies for construction and marine resource enhancement programs. As a certified Small Women-owned Business Enterprise (SWBE), we are passionate and have developed strong collaborations with federal and state governmental organizations, academic institutions, non-profits, and other consulting companies in order to provide comprehensive and effective marine resource management strategies to our clients and partners.
Meet Our Team
Adam Obaza
Marine Biologist, Photographer, and Co-Owner
Adam Obaza completed his undergraduate education at the University of Miami, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in both Marine Science and Biology in 2006. He then continued his studies at Florida International University, earning a Master’s Degree in Ecology by modeling fish movement in the Florida Everglades. In 2009, he moved to Southern California to work as a contractor for NOAA/NMFS on both policy and research issues related to eelgrass, invasive species, abalone, and rockfish in Puget Sound. Adam subsequently joined PMRG in January of 2017 and has continued work in many of those same areas. While not at work, Adam enjoys running and underwater photography, though National Geographic isn’t exactly breaking down his door.
Ashleigh Epps
Marine Biologist
Ashleigh earned her Bachelor of Science in marine biology and a certificate in marine cetacean conservation from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2019. In between undergraduate and graduate school Ashleigh worked at the Monterey Bay Aquarium teaching kids how to surface SCUBA dive and about the intertidal marine life of California. Ashleigh then went on to earn her Master of Science degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in coral reef biology and ecology in 2022. From there Ashleigh worked for Florida Sea Grant focusing on stony coral tissue loss disease and then relocated back to the Pacific Northwest, where she grew up, to work for Washington Sea Grant in shellfish aquaculture. While there, Ashleigh began volunteering with Reef Check Washington and PMRG on their young of year rockfish surveys. Ashleigh joined PMRG in 2026 and is excited to continue rockfish conservation work and be back in California working on restoration of endangered species and critical habitats. In her free time, Ashleigh loves to hike and run with her dog, travel and practice yoga.
Rilee Sanders
Marine Biologist, PhD Candidate (Scripps Institution of Oceanography)
Rilee Sanders completed his undergraduate education and Master’s degree at the University of Southern California in Environmental Studies and Marine Biology. Subsequently, Rilee worked as a biological fisheries diver for Channel Islands National Park. In 2019, Rilee began his role as a marine project manager for the environmental non-profit, The Bay Foundation, where he focused on kelp restoration, the recovery of endangered abalone species, and seagrass research. Rilee is currently a PhD student at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where his research aims to resolve crucial data gaps on eelgrass and inform the efficacy of open-coast seagrass restoration in the Southern California Bight. Rilee joined PMRG in 2022 as a marine biologist and specializes in abalone recovery and seagrass research. You can find Rilee surfing, biking, or exploring all that California has to offer.
Laurel Zahn
Marine Biologist
Laurel Zahn holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz and an M.S. in Biology from California State University, Long Beach. Laurel specializes in kelp forest ecology and she has been involved in scuba diving and marine research around southern California since 2007, holding various positions with the Vantuna Research Group at Occidental College, Cal State Long Beach, Reef Check California, and Tidal Influence, among others. She has expanded out into eelgrass research and monitoring over the past five years. She is also passionate about teaching and spent ten years as an adjunct professor at Occidental College teaching undergraduates about marine biology. Laurel joined PMRG in 2023 and is excited to share her experiences with the team as PMRG continues to grow their conservation goals. Most of Laurel’s ‘free time’ is occupied by being a mom to two energetic mini-humans but she also enjoys swimming, running, gardening and cooking when time allows.
Kailee Brown-Dow
Marine Biologist
Kailee Brown Dow completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife with a minor in Environmental education, Kailee joined the National Park Service in 2016. Working at Padre Island National Seashore, Biscayne National Park, Glacier National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, Kailee has experience working with sea turtle, lionfish, and marine debris, coral reef, and queen conch data as well as performing natural and cultural resource interpretation, invasive vegetation removal. Kailee started diving in 2007 and became a recreational dive instructor in 2018. When she is not diving, Kailee likes to adventure with her husband and dog and visit family back in Nebraska where her pet parrots also reside. Kailee enjoys photography and speaking with folks about the importance of healthy oceans.
