CofC Faces to Know: Greg Townsley
Meet Greg Townsley '97 (M.S.), manager of Grice Marine Lab.
Name: Greg Townsley
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus)
Education/Background: I have a B.S. in Biology from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree from the CofC EVSS program. Prior to my current position, I worked at Utah State University as the lab manager of an algae biofuel research facility.
Job title: Grice Marine Lab Manager
How long have you worked at the College? Almost 12 years
What are your job responsibilities? I wear many hats. I’m basically responsible for the well-being of the facility and its occupants. Essentially, anything to support the students, staff, faculty and the Graduate Program in Marine Biology.
What do you like most about your job? Getting to know the grad students and learning about their research. I’m always learning something new. Also, the quick access to kayaking and shark tooth hunting right behind the lab!
What question do you get asked most in your job and what’s your typical answer? “What kind of research are the students doing?” The answer is long and varied and there isn’t enough room here to describe all the cool science happening at the lab!
What’s your favorite location on campus and why? The water’s edge right behind the lab. You get a great view of the harbor, Cooper River Bridge, Fort Sumter, dolphins, shorebirds and secluded “Grice Beach” across the cove. Come check it out!
What are your hobbies? Photography, cooking, backpacking, reading, thrifting and craft beer sampling (I leave the brewing to the experts).
What personal and/or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? In my youth – becoming an Eagle Scout. As an adult – earning a master’s degree after a 10-year break from school.
Name a creative work (book, movie, performance, etc.) you enjoyed recently and why? I am currently reading books from two of my favorite authors: The Ancestor’s Tale, by Richard Dawkins (nonfiction) and The Secret of Secrets, by Dan Brown (fiction).
What was your favorite TV show growing up? As a kid, Saturday morning cartoons!
What’s next on your bucket list? Taking a long walk – I hope to attempt to thru-hike the 2,653 mile–long Pacific Crest Trail in a few years.
What is something your campus colleagues would be surprised to know about you? I have a 21-year-old cat.
What was your first job? After mowing lawns, my first “real” job was working at a pizza joint at Ohio State.
What’s your favorite Lowcountry restaurant? Any place that serves fresh seafood.
Describe your perfect day: Going on a hike followed by a relaxing evening at a craft brewery. Cheers!
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