Personnel: Founders and Managers:
UTSI founders and collaborators Robert Tate and Andrew Ogden, combine 10 years of experience in Costa Rica with graduate level university training in the natural sciences. This makes them excellent guides, hosts, and instructors. UTSI offers the services of hosting students at Finca Carolina, hands-on instruction in tropical subjects, and coordination of all parts of a group’s trip to Costa Rica. The business founders have cultivated long-term relationships with numerous vendors throughout Costa Rica. This enables UTSI to offer competitive prices while making all efforts to ensure a safe and enjoyable educational adventure.
Profiles: Founders and Managers
Andrew Ogden
My training in environmental education and my university training and teaching experiences have prepared me to establish and carry out ecological education programs for students that are interactive, fun, and informative. I also possess the horticultural skills to further develop our organic farm, informative gardens and ethnobotanical sanctuary. Graduate training in Horticulture (M.S. in Horticulture, University of Georgia, 2008) gave me the knowledge and skills needed to assist in conducting scientific research to be published in peer-reviewed journals.
Robert Tate
Robert is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill where he received degrees in Philosophy and US History. After completing a Sustainable Agriculture Program in NC taught by well known growers in the industry, he has gone on to operate and co-own two organic farms: one in the mountains of NC near the base of Mount Mitchell, and the other near Punta Uvita along the Southwest coast of Costa Rica. Both of these farms are successfully operating today.
Robert has also been published for his molecular work in protein signaling in Molecular Pharmacology May 06 and enjoys participating in the research environment within the University. His enthusiasm for science and research continue as he earns a Masters degree in Plant Protection and Pest Management while employed at UGA. He currently functions as a farmer, educational facilitator and networker for the University of Georgia as their Organic Certificate Program Coordinator.