LORTON, VA, July 24, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Virginia Schweiss has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Currently serving as the chief scientist at the Callie Mae Sea Foundation — a nonprofit entity whose mission is to preserve the oceans and marine life within them through protection, education and research — Dr. Schweiss has established herself as a leading figure in marine conservation biology. In her role, she is responsible for writing grants and publications, making connections with fellow scientists, facilitating projects and conducting data analysis. Her most notable achievement in this capacity was her groundbreaking release of over 125 million oyster larvae into the Gulf of Mexico, marking a historic milestone in marine restoration efforts.

In addition to her role at the Callie Mae Sea Foundation, Dr. Schweiss has been an adjunct professor at several institutions. Since 2019, she has been teaching at the University of Hawai'i at West O'ahu, where she shares her passion for human anatomy and physiology, Hawaiian environmental biology and general biology with her students. Her teaching portfolio also includes positions as an adjunct marine course professor at The University of Southern Mississippi from 2017 to 2024, a physiology teacher at Northwest Missouri State University in 2022 and a nursing chemistry instructor at Chaminade University of Honolulu from 2021 to 2022.

Before venturing onto her vocational path, Dr. Schweiss earned a Bachelor of Science in marine biology and biological psychology in 2012 from Northwest Missouri State University. Five years later, she went on to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy in coastal sciences from The University of Southern Mississippi. Her journey into marine biology was inspired by a formative experience during her eighth-grade science class when she saw and dissected a starfish for the first time. This encounter ignited a lifelong curiosity about marine life that propelled her toward her passion for preservation. To augment her qualifications, she is certified as a dive master by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), reflecting her commitment to safe underwater exploration.

Dr. Schweiss' dedication to marine conservation extends beyond her work in academia and research. She is actively involved in civic organizations such as the Coastal Estuarian Research Foundation and volunteers for coastal clean-up drives in Mississippi. Further exemplifying her leadership acumen is her former role as president of her graduate school chapter of the American Fisheries Society, where she collaborated with fellow experts to promote sustainable fisheries management.

A proud mother of two children, Dr. Schweiss enjoys going to the beach, running, coaching CrossFit and spending quality time with her family and dogs. Looking to the future with determination, she aims to expand oyster reef restoration efforts using innovative methods tested in pilot studies within the Mississippi Sound. She also intends to enhance living shoreline projects incorporating oysters in both the Gulf and Atlantic regions, highlighting their critical role in water filtration and supporting coastal economies.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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