Dorothy “Dottie” Byron has been working in seagrass ecosystems for over 25 years. She holds a Masters degree from Florida International University and is currently working (part-time) completing her PhD at the University of South Alabama, while also serving as the Deputy Director for the RESTORE Act funded Alabama Center of Excellence. Her research focuses on submerged aquatic vegetation mapping and monitoring, SAV restoration, and shoreline habitat restoration. While much of her work has been in seagrass habitats, for the past 6 years her focus has shifted to the freshwater SAV in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. She is involved with the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program: Scientific Advisory Committee, the Gulf of America Alliance: Seagrass Community of Practice, and CERF’s Seagrass Community of Practice.