Mr. Doug Liles Program Director/ Board Member
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Doug received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee and his Master of Combined Sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. After a successful entrepreneurial career in real estate and business development, Doug moved to the Florida panhandle and established GSI (2002). Doug is a member of the Translational Research Working Group and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He loves the outdoors, family, tennis, golf, fishing, and science.
Dr. Bill Smith
Medical Consultant/ Board Member
Dr. Bill Smith, from Jackson, Mississippi, is a graduate of Millsaps College and the University of Mississippi Medical School. He completed a pediatrics residency at University Hospital in Jackson and has practiced for 25 years with Children's Medical Group, also in Jackson.
Mrs. Nikki Lindsey
Grant Writer
Nikki is originally from Elizabethton, Tennessee. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History, as well as a Master of Arts in European History from East Tennessee State University. In addition to her work at the Good Samaritan Institute, she is currently working on her dissertation to complete her PhD in Modern European history from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. One of her primary scholarly interests is the history of science and medicine, particularly the Scientific Revolution. She appeared on the game show Jeopardy! in 2003. She enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, playing volleyball, kayaking, and gardening in her spare time. She currently lives in Panama City Beach, Florida with her husband, James, and daughter, Noelle.
Mrs. Jennifer Petro
Grant Writer
Jennifer is a New Jersey Native who has made Florida her home since 1989. She holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Zoology from North Carolina State University as well as a Master’s of Science Degree in Marine Science from the University of Miami, Coral Gables. Jennifer has spent the last 13 years in the field of Informal Science Education developing programs, curriculum and Professional Development workshops for schools through out Northwest Florida. Jennifer is an avid SCUBA diver and conservationist.
Mr. Eddie Smith
Accountant/Board Member
Eddie is currently the audit branch manager in the Technical Assistance Division of the State of Mississippi Office of the State Auditor responsible for providing technical assistance and training. Prior to joining the Technical Assistance Division in 2005, he was employed in public and private industry since 1981. Eddie spent more than twenty years performing financial and compliance audits of local governments, county governments, state agencies, not-for-profit organizations and for-profit enterprises in Mississippi. He also served as City Clerk/Administrator for the City of Brandon for four years.
Eddie earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate in 1985. He received his Bachelor of Accountancy degree (1981) from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a member of the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.