Our Team
Nikola Garber, Ph.D.
Deputy Director
![](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2-21-240x300.png)
Kola currently serves as the Deputy Director of the National Sea Grant Office and National Sea Grant College Program. She joined NOAA Sea Grant in 2000 as the Sea Grant Knauss fellowship manager and has since held positions as the Assistant Director for Administration, Acting Assistant Director for Partnerships, and the Acting Director.
In 1999, Kola was a recipient of the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship working in the legislative branch. In her tenure at NOAA, Kola has also been Acting National Ocean Service CFO/CAO, Acting Superintendent of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and spent a year in NOAA’s Program Coordination Office.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Science degree in marine science/molecular biology and a Ph.D. in International Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her dissertation researched NOAA’s response to Hurricane Mitch and formulated a plan for Reconstruction Planning in NOAA.
Outside of professional settings, you can find Kola volunteering at her daughter’s school and with other local organizations including a Federally Qualified Health Center and DC Special Olympics.
Email: nikola.garber@noaa.gov
Learn More About Our Work
![GO Virginia Biogenic Solutions Four people install substrate for an oyster reef.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/53238624329_3155374926_o-scaled-qpguz40sa8z2203pip8r3lbhpjgcpo3ry8pyvr6h6w.jpg)
![GO Virginia Biogenic Solutions Four people install substrate for an oyster reef.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/53238624329_3155374926_o-scaled-qpguz40sa8z2203pip8r3lbhpjgcpo3ry8pyvr6h6w.jpg)
Biden-Harris Administration invests $60 million to build a climate-ready workforce through Investing in America agenda
May 2024 Desk of Director
![De’Marcus Robinson De'Marcus Robinson stands in front of the White House.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/DeMarcus-Robinson-cover-qp4ounyl1tomkugliz31xppeiju0h4l4rvr1qh55e0.png)
![De’Marcus Robinson De'Marcus Robinson stands in front of the White House.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/DeMarcus-Robinson-cover-qp4ounyl1tomkugliz31xppeiju0h4l4rvr1qh55e0.png)
Knauss fellow embraces the wider ocean view
![aquaculture_academy_2024_group Frank Lopez | NC Sea Grant](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/aquaculture_academy_2024_group-scaled-qnmipi5v7q405ddhcwo308phvq4wurypglhvwt19jc.jpg)
![aquaculture_academy_2024_group Frank Lopez | NC Sea Grant](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/aquaculture_academy_2024_group-scaled-qnmipi5v7q405ddhcwo308phvq4wurypglhvwt19jc.jpg)
Sea Grant Aquaculture Academy in New Hampshire
![Sea Grant Special Issue Cover Images of Sea Grant's work in research, education and extension provided by (from left to right) Wisconsin, Guam and Florida Sea Grant programs. Design by Hallee Meltzer | National Sea Grant Office.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sea-Grant-Special-Issue-Cover-qnh0oafhp4r4p6yfyrjn0rvn6n4mv0h4a9d2bllci0.png)
![Sea Grant Special Issue Cover Images of Sea Grant's work in research, education and extension provided by (from left to right) Wisconsin, Guam and Florida Sea Grant programs. Design by Hallee Meltzer | National Sea Grant Office.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sea-Grant-Special-Issue-Cover-qnh0oafhp4r4p6yfyrjn0rvn6n4mv0h4a9d2bllci0.png)
Sea Grant takes center stage in Oceanography special issue
![VA SG impacts cover image Photo courtesy of Virginia Sea Grant](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/VA-SG-impacts-cover-image-qljjinlfnqjlf3gcv9u9dythkovsroffpjqnlx7zbc.jpg)
![VA SG impacts cover image Photo courtesy of Virginia Sea Grant](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/VA-SG-impacts-cover-image-qljjinlfnqjlf3gcv9u9dythkovsroffpjqnlx7zbc.jpg)