Rus Higley

Director, MaST Center

Instructor of Life, Ocean and General Science Department

Rus has worked as Director at the Marine Science and Technology Center since its opening in 2003. He was born in Alaska, but grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Western Washington University with a B.S. in Marine Biology. He then went on to get his M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from Old Dominion, and Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. As well as managing the MaST Center, Rus also teaches classes at Highline College in Marine Biology, Environmental Sciences and Oceanography. When not teaching, or overseeing operations at the MaST Center, Rus enjoys spending time in the water as he is a certified SCUBA master diver and river rafting tour guide.

Rus’ favorite marine creature is Eumicotremus orbis (Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker).

Aeriel Wauhob

Community Engagement Coordinator

Aeriel joined the Marine Science and Technology Center in 2022. She was born and raised in the Loess Hills of Iowa. Aeriel graduated from the University of Montana with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and a B.A. in Art with a minor in Art History and Criticism. She moved to the Washington in 2017 to share her passion of environmental education with the Puget Sound. In her time off, you’ll see Aeriel on local beaches exploring the intertidal zone or hiking in the mountains. Aeriel is the lead for providing engaging education, outreach, and volunteer opportunities at the MaST Center.

Aeriel’s favorite marine creature is Hermissenda crassicornis (Opalescent Nudibranch).

Emily Bjornsgard

Lead Aquarist

Emily grew up exploring the beaches and aquariums of Washington and Oregon and has always been fascinated by the marine life around us. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a marine emphasis, and then spent a year in the Oregon Coast Community College Aquarium Science Program in Newport, Oregon, where she learned many of the animal care and life support skills that she use every day. Emily has also worked at the OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Before coming to Highline, she worked at SEA Discovery Center in Poulsbo, and had the opportunity to partner with the MaST team for collecting and animal transfers. In her free time, Emily is usually either exploring the area’s coastlines (tide pooling above the surface or scuba diving below) or enjoying a book.

Emily’s favorite marine creature is Eumicotremus orbis (Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker).

Lily Gray

Life Support Technician 2

Lily began volunteering at the MaST center in 2022 and was hired as an interim life support technician. In 2023, she became a permanent member of the MaST team as a life support technician. Lily has a B.S. in Biology with a Marine Emphasis from Western Washington University. She is also the aquarist at the Foss Waterway Seaport maritime museum. When not working, she enjoys activities such as hiking and gardening. Lily is a PADI certified scuba diver. Having grown up in the Puget Sound area, she values the unique ecosystem and abundant sea life found here.

Lily’s favorite marine creature is Rhamphocottus richardsonii (Grunt Sculpin)

Heather Levin

MaST Laboratory Technician

Heather began volunteering at the MaST back in 2018, became the laboratory technician in 2020 and was a life support technician from 2021-2023.  Originally from Maine, Heather moved to the Seattle area in 2015 to pursue her goal of working in marine education around the Puget Sound.  When Heather is not at the MaST, she is a biology laboratory technician on Highline campus and also teaches Survey of Biology 100 for Highline College.  Heather is an avid SCUBA diver, sea kayaker as well as skier in the winter.

Heather’s favorite marine creature is Thaumoctopus mimicus (Mimic Octopus).