Meet our August 2018 STEMSEAS participants
Instructors
Ajit Subramaniam is a biological oceanographer who uses remote sensing, bio-optics, Geographical Information Systems, to better understand how the marine ecosystem works and can be managed. Specifically, he works on understanding the diversity and productivity of phytoplankton: why does a particular phytoplankton species bloom where it does, the factors that lead to its demise, the consequences of such blooms, and how these might change in the future as a consequence of anthropogenic activity and climate change. He has worked with remote sensing data for more than 20 years and has developed algorithms for detection of cyanobacterial blooms. Subramaniam has taught at the Austral Summer Institute, Universidad de Concepción in 2004, 07, and 10 and was awarded a Fulbright Specialist Award in 2010 for this. He was awarded a Mercator Fellowship by the University of Rostock and the Baltic Sea Research Institute, Germany in 2017. He has extensive sea-going experience and been chief scientist on major oceanographic cruises.
Judah Epstein is Adjunct Geology Faculty at Brookhaven College. His goal in teaching geology is to share interest in earth sciences and scientific field expeditions; inspiring students towards pursuit of STEM endeavors and knowledge of their outdoor world in which they live. Judah is also a Civil Engineer Officer in the US Air Force Reserve. Previously he worked as General Field Engineer at Schlumberger and International Field Engineer with Welltec. He specialized in wireline robotic tractor for geological well logging, borehole seismic, and perforating jobs throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, offshore Equatorial Guinea, and northern Siberia. Judah earned B.S. Electrical Engineering from SMU, M.S. Management from UTD, and M.S. Geosciences from UTD with thesis on “Sedimentary Water Filtration in a Planetary Environment”; research conducted on scientific expedition at the Mars Desert Research Station. Judah has participated in numerous expeditions worldwide such as groundwater research in Nepal, military (US Air Force engineer and Texas State Guard EMT medic), teaching in Uganda, guide in Israel, Brazilian Amazon Jungle Marathon and medic, IODP ocean drilling workshop in New Zealand, Gray Hawk tree climbing, and rainforest and wildlife conservation in Panama, Peru, and Borneo.
Nick Bock – Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory; TK
Students
Julissa Murrieta is an undergraduate student with a passion for research. She discovered her love for research while conducting a year long research project within the information sciences. While unrelated to her field of interest, the research experience has peaked her interest to continue research in STEM. Specifically, Julissa is interested in research involving marine science, oceanography, and environmental conservation. She will be attending the University of Maryland, College Park to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology, specializing in ecology and evolution. In the near future, Julissa hopes to attend graduate school to further explore the world of research.
Hello! My name is Natalie Chavez and I am 20 years old. I am from California and currently I am attending Mt. San Antonio College coming to an end with pursuing an A.A. in Psychology. I have decided to transition from a psychology major to a STEM major because I have realized that my core interests and values have changed dramatically throughout my academic journey thus far. I have come to learn that I am a nature enthusiast and I am fascinated with all aspects of science. Although, I have not yet decided which science field in particular I would like to pursue I have discovered that I find Oceanography and Geology to be interesting subjects!
My name is Nayely Aire Figueroa, currently a sophomore at College of Southern Nevada. I am pursuing a bachelor’s in environmental sciences. I am a nature enthusiast, so I adore being outdoors. During my free time I dance at a Polynesian studio where I am able to embrace many cultures. I am very eager to go on this expedition and learn outside the normal classroom environment.
Hi all! My name is Chantel Tang and I will be a freshman planning to major in neurobiology at University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. I’ve grown up my entire life in Washington, and just recently graduated high school with my Associates degree in June. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, yoga and eating different types of cheesecakes! I’ve taken trips in the past that focused primarily on geology so I’m eager to add another trip while grasping a better idea of research.
Hi I’m Elijah Carter. I’m a proud gay kid from Boston, MA. I’m 20 yrs old with 2 younger siblings and an older sister. I’m interested in History, Anthropology, and The Arts.
Hi! My name is Tallie Foster and I was Rhode Island born and Massachusetts raised. I only had my first real taste of the outdoors at age 18, and quickly fell in love with nature. I now study Environmental and Earth Science at Fitchburg State University, going into my senior year, and have conducted research on river sedimentation in Massachusetts and microplastic concentrations in estuaries in southern Louisiana. I hope to get an advanced degree in oceanography, followed by a mixed career of research, community outreach, and shaping environmental policy. I’m excited to spend this trip with such an interdisciplinary group, and hope it helps me get over my painfully ironic fear of the open ocean!
Hello, my name is Chinonso Uzowihe, but I also go by Chino. I am a 4th year environmental science major at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and currently on track to graduate spring of 2019. My interest is in coastal communities, because they are generally the areas affected by climate change first; I hope to begin by researching these impacts, and then discovering new or improved ways to mitigate them. I also love to learn about new cultures and see how they use their environment. I dream to one day work with the United Nations in environmental awareness, ensuring that communities around the world have knowledge about ways to better live and work with their environment.
I’m Manuel Marin and I am currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in mechanical Engineering as part of the Honors College at Miami Dade College. I am still not sure on what career path I want to follow, just that it falls under engineering. As an engineer, I am determined to work on our planet to understand it and help it heal, not deplete its resources. My passions of sustainability, geography, history, and robotics lead me into various tangents all of which are distinct from each other. During STEMSEAS I hope to explore more career paths and to be fully focused for when I have to apply to transfer four-year institution.
Brianna Ibarrola is a junior at the University of Southern California majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Cinematic Arts. She loves to scuba dive and was recently certified as an AAUS scientific diver. During her time at USC, she has had the chance to work in two research labs with zebrafish and Hawaiian bobtail squid. In her free time, Brianna enjoys photography and Tae Kwon Do. She has always loved the ocean and is excited to see and explore it in new ways with STEMSEAS!
Tara Jane Wilkes is currently pursuing an Associates degree at Broward College in South Florida. She plans to transfer in January to pursue either computer science or geology. In her free time, Tara volunteers with cats and plays music (flute). This is her first time on a boat of any kind and she’s thrilled to be apart of this incredible adventure!
