The Citizen Science Learning Center is a small group of dedicated and talented individuals who are committed to the idea of “Educating and engaging students of all ages and all walks of life in the science of things all around them.”
Who We Are?
Our Mission
The Citizen Science Learning Center aims to provide environmental education to local residents through hands-on, science-based environmental investigations. These investigations include characterizations of the environmental health of freshwater ponds. Of primary concern is the presence of a toxic form of blue-green algae, The invasion of non-native species of freshwater fish, and the water chemistry and land use activities that create unhealthy and potentially harmful environmental conditions for both humans and our local wildlife.
The Citizen Science Learning Center uses local fresh water bodies as outdoor laboratories to provide meaningful educational experiences. We also serve as a central repository for resources to inform residents of potential exposure to harmful algae and raise awareness of other ecological issues. With your continued support we seek to expand the scope our investigations and services to include other environmental characterizations, including: watershed, land use, and bathymetric mapping; flow condition and groundwater discharge modeling, and biodiversity assessment.
Our Methods
Bob Mozer - Executive Director and Founder
Chris DeVivo
JOK Kommer
Tom Dwyer
A Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG) and experienced science educator, has over 23 years in environmental consulting and 16 years in public education. He holds an MA in Geology from SUNY Oneonta and is skilled in geologic interpretation, GIS mapping, groundwater resource management, and environmental education. Bob founded the Citizen Science Learning Center, Inc. in 2023 and initiated the “Adopt-a-Pond” project to promote environmental stewardship.
Chris DeVivo, a retired Quality Control and Assurance professional with a BS in Chemistry from SUNY Oneonta, spent four decades leading global QC laboratories and supporting regulatory inspections for multinational pharmaceutical companies. A Long Island native and passionate nature photographer, Chris aligns his environmental interests with the Citizen Science Learning Center and the Adopt-a-Pond program.
Joseph O. Kommer, a retired science educator, spent over 31 years at Westhampton Beach High School designing ecosystem-based learning environments and founding environmental initiatives like C.U.R.E. He holds degrees in Biology and Liberal Studies from SUNY institutions and now volunteers extensively while managing a consulting firm specializing in aquatic ecosystems.
Tom Dwyer, a licensed New York State Professional Geologist, holds degrees in Business Management and Geology and an MS in Geology. He spent 16 years in consulting, specializing in contaminated site remediation, erosion control, and groundwater mapping, and later served 19 years as an Environmental Protection Specialist for the federal government. He has also taught professional geology and OSHA courses and currently serves as COO of an economic consulting firm while supporting the Citizen Science Learning Center’s “Adopt-a-Pond” project on Long Island.
Our Board
Stephan Sosik - Treasurer
Deirdre DeVita
John Gross
Larissa Potapchuk
Stephan Sosik is a retired Chemical Process Engineer with over 40 years of expertise in designing, programming, and validating process control systems for industrial chemical manufacturing. Now serving as Treasurer of the Citizen Science Learning Center, Inc., he brings his technical background to support initiatives addressing harmful algal blooms in freshwater systems across Long Island and the Finger Lakes.
Deirdre DeVita, an Associate Broker and top-producing real estate agent in the Hamptons since 2007, brings a strong background in client advocacy and community leadership to the Citizen Science Learning Center. A former professional ballet dancer and past President of the Remsenburg-Speonk School Board, Deirdre also serves on several local civic boards and supports arts initiatives across Long Island.
Dr. John Gross is an Assistant Professor of GIS at Farmingdale State College, specializing in vegetation remote sensing, spatial modeling, and geospatial programming. He holds a PhD in Earth and Ecosystem Science and supports the Citizen Science Learning Center through research, education, and public outreach, particularly with K-12 student engagement and Adopt-a-Pond
Larissa, an industrial engineer and business management consultant from a freshwater lake on Long Island, has long observed changes in local water quality. To better understand these shifts, she joined the Surfrider Foundation’s year-round Blue Water Task Force. Her passion for identifying root causes and solutions led her to the Citizen Science Learning Center and the Adopt-A-Pond program.
Emily Dwyer - Communications and Web Development
Emily Dwyer, a lifelong New Yorker, has extensive experience in government, politics, and communications. She has worked on key legislation in water quality and clean energy and served in leadership roles within Suffolk County. With a background in campaign strategy, Emily also specializes in social media, website design, and public messaging.
Tonito Valderrama - Education
Tonito Valderrama, an environmental artist and educator, integrates his Taino heritage and passion for conservation into his work through sculpture, murals, and installations. As Director of the Wilderness Traveling Museum, he promotes indigenous arts and environmental awareness across Long Island, contributing his creative expertise to the Citizen Science Learning Center.