Cristin Ryan joined the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit (SMEE) in Fort Pierce, Florida as Marine Biology Educator in October 2006. While pursuing her degree at the University of Arizona, Cristin became involved in marine science education through her marine discovery class, which gave her the opportunity to lead children in hands-on marine science classes on the University of Arizona campus. After graduation in 2003, Cristin worked in several seasonal outdoor and environmental education positions, all with an emphasis on marine biology. Her travels took her to positions in coastal areas such as Washington State, the Georgia coast, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts before moving to Florida to work as a Marine Science Instructor at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. In her time on staff, Cristin has assisted with public and school programs, as well as provided several new interpretive elements to the Exhibit.