Ashley Lacey, PhD, MPH
Executive President

Dr. Ashley Lacey earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of the Environment. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-occupational therapy with a minor in psychology, as well as a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in environmental health.

Her Ph.D. research focuses on aquatic and terrestrial ecology, particularly on coastal resilience and the human health impacts of coastal hazards such as harmful algal blooms (HABs). Ashley's work bridges the gap between scientific research and public awareness. She is a NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME) I and II Graduate Scholar, and she served as a Fellow at NOAA’s Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs in Fall 2021. During her fellowship, Ashley contributed to high-level policy discussions on coastal ecosystem issues and supported legislative tracking for environmental policies.

Throughout her career, Ashley has demonstrated strong leadership skills. She serves as the Chairwoman of the City of Tallahassee Environmental Board, where she facilitates meetings focused on local environmental issues and collaborates with city officials to review and recommend policies. As the past President of the Florida A&M University Graduate Student Association for four years, Ashley played a pivotal role in advocating for graduate students and securing funding for student initiatives. She also served as a Graduate Senator in the 52nd Senate of the FAMU Student Government Association, where she was honored with the Graduate Senator of the Year award for her contributions.

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Key Recognitions:

• Graduate Senator of the Year Award – Florida A&M University Student Government Association 52nd Senate

• 3rd Place – Three Minute Thesis – Florida A&M University School of Graduate Studies and Research

• NOAA Graduate Scholar – NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME) l & ll

• NOAA Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Fellow – Fall 2021

• Chairwoman – City of Tallahassee Environmental Board (2021 – Present)

• President – Florida A&M University Graduate Student Association (4 years)

Presentations and Guest Speaking:​​

Dr. Lacey has presented her research at numerous conferences and seminars, as well as on other topics such as environmental health, public health, and research methodologies, including the following:

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• Gulf Scholars Social Science Workshop, 2024: "Surveying Methods in Quantitative and Qualitative Research"

• NOAA Seminar Series, 2024: "Wave of Thoughts: Exploring Florida's Red Tide Awareness and Forecasting Products through Community Perspectives"

• NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Annual Meeting, 2024: "Comparative Analysis of Resident and Visitor Perceptions and Effectiveness of The NOAA Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Product"

• Gulf Scholars Conference, 2024: "Comparative Analysis of Resident and Visitor Perceptions and Effectiveness of The NOAA Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Product"

• FAMU School of the Environment Spring Seminar Series, 2024: "Comparative Analysis of Resident and Visitor Perceptions and Effectiveness of The NOAA Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Product"

• NOAA CCME Research Synopsis, 2023: "Comparative Analysis of Resident and Visitor Perceptions and Effectiveness of The NOAA Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Product"

• Tampa Bay National Weather Service Weekly Ecological Briefing, 2023: "Comparative Analysis of Resident and Visitor Perceptions and Effectiveness of The NOAA Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Product"

• Pine View Elementary School Scientific Research Illustration, 2023: "Comparative Analysis of Resident and Visitor Perceptions and Effectiveness of The NOAA Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Product"

  Doctoral Research Proposal, 2021: "What is NOAA’s Underserved Community Engagement Needs and What Do Communities Know About Coastal Resilience?"

  Doctoral Program Presentation, 2020: "Understanding Biotechnology: The Use of Research and Tools to Understand the Knowledge and Attitudes Students and Teachers Have in Reference to Biotechnology"

• Doctoral Program Presentation, 2020: "Surface Water Pollution"

• Florida Department of Health Internship Presentation, 2019: "Florida Counties Minority Health Disparities"

• Master of Public Health Thesis Presentation, 2019: "Drinking Water: Do You Know If Your Drinking Water Is Safe?"

• Florida Department of Health Internship Presentation, 2018: "Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs)"

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Publications:

• Jennings V, San Antonio KM, Brown MJ, Choice L, Simpson Q, Ford I, Cho HJ, Solis P, Lacey A, Robinson D. Place-Based Conservation in Coastal and Marine Ecosystems: The Importance of Engagement with Underrepresented Communities. Sustainability. 2024; 16(22):9965. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229965