Mote Marine Laboratory

As Director of Communications, Ms. Slimak oversees the dissemination of news and information about Mote Marine Laboratory's marine science research, outreach and educational initiatives and works closely with lab administrators to establish public outreach policy.

Basing outreach efforts on a journalistic model, Ms. Slimak has created new standards for dissemination of marine science news and information from the lab to numerous local, national and international media members and worked to create new opportunities for outreach efforts through new media partnerships.

Under Ms. Slimak’s direction, Mote has significantly increased the effectiveness of its Communications Division outreach over the last two years. Her previous experience as a print reporter and editor has given Mote the ability to forge new partnerships and serve media more effectively.

As Mote Magazine and publications editor, Ms. Slimak has been responsible for evolving Mote’s former aquarium newsletter into a slick, regional science magazine for a popular audience. The magazine utilizes graduate and senior-level science journalism students recruited from programs throughout the country as staff members through the Media Lab@Mote program. As the Media Lab program director, Ms. Slimak is responsible for planning and editing magazine content and mentoring student reporters in their first “professional” setting. She is also responsible for planning art direction and photography and overall magazine production efforts as well as writing articles for Mote Magazine.

Before coming to Mote, Ms. Slimak enjoyed an extensive career as a reporter, editor and bureau chief for Gannett newspapers in upstate New York and in Southwest Florida, covering topics such as public affairs, police and courts, health and science.

B.S. in Journalism and Mass Communications with a major in Journalism and a minor in American Studies from Kent State University.

Ms. Slimak's writing has been honored with awards from the Gannett Co., the Syracuse Press Club and the New York State Press Club.

Department: Development & Communications