On the E/V Nautilus: To learn more about our team on the Nautilus, visit the expedition site here.
On the Endeavor:
Instructors
Nicole K. Murray is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Earth Science and Environmental Change at the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign. Her research focuses on tropical Pacific climate and asks how we can use the stable isotopes of water to better understand ocean – atmosphere interactions. Nicole got involved with STEMseas as students collected surface seawater samples during their cruises in order to expand global availability of ocean salinity and isotope data. She has been sailing with STEMSEAS since 2019 and loves seeing students grow and bond with each other during their time at sea! Nicole bides her time between cruises by gardening, hiking and cooking.
Nooreen Meghani is a geologist from Urbana, IL, and will be starting as a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall. She has worked on a wide range of problems and projects, including orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania, the Tar Creek Superfund Site, and lead in urban gardens. Her current research focuses on river development and landscape evolution following glaciation in agriculturally important landscapes like Illinois and surrounding states, and her true love is teaching in the field, whether with geology students in Utah, environmental science students in Wisconsin, or STEMSEAS students at sea. When she’s not at school or in the field, Nooreen can most often be found sailing on a reservoir in central IL, or playing fetch with her dogs.
Brontë Heerdink is a master’s student in the geology department at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on the Reservoir Quality of the Frio Formation in Corpus Christi, Texas. Additionally, she is interested in studying carbonates and marine geology. In August 2022, Brontë sailed on the R/V Sally Ride as a STEMSEAS student. Inspired by one of her instructers, she became scuba certified this past spring. She hopes to continue her education after she graduates from Texas A&M University. In her free time, she likes working on puzzles, reading and traveling.
Students
Hello, my name is Corymar Muller Hernandez, a third-year student at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus. I am currently studying microbiology . As an undergraduate student I have had several research experiences where I have learned about water quality, vegetation, eDNA and soil layer identification, wildlife inventory and aquatic organisms. Also, in January 2023 I took the basic Oceanography course and I am also certified as diver, advanced open water. I am currently researching with SEAS Islands Alliance about water quality in Las Cabezas de San Juan, Fajardo to monitor any changes. Since I was little I have loved the ocean, so I get excited every time I go. I am very passionate about research, and more so when it is related to marine sciences. The ocean is too big and I want to discover it more, to know about its species, plants, organisms and all the living beings that inhabit marine ecosystems. I usually take advantage of the opportunities they offer me, I always put all my effort and commitment into every project I get involved in. I am looking for opportunities to improve my skills and expand my knowledge, so I can investigate different aspects of science. This way I can build the path to the future I want. I am so excited, STEMSEAS is going to give me the tools and experiences I need to have more knowledge of marine life.
Hey, my name is Khyron(Khy) Darville. I am a rising sophomore at the University of South Carolina studying environmental Studies with concentration on Marine science. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, and making connections with them. I’m hoping to find more fields that I may be interested in doing once start my professional career. I have a strong feeling that STEMSEAS will do just that!
Hi 🙂 My name is Lily Kratz, and I am from Lancaster, Pennsylvania! I just finished my first year at Ursinus College as an Environmental Studies major. My plan is to minor in marine science and possibly sociology. I have always had a love for science and am so excited to use STEMSEAS as an opportunity to learn more about oceanography and make connections with others who share my love for the ocean and marine life! Outside of school, I love hiking, skiing, lifting, horseback riding, and basically anything that gets me active!
Holden Russo is an undergraduate geosciences major who earned his associates degree in geology at Mt. San Antonio College in Southern California. He is interested in physical geology, oceanography, and geomorphology and is transferring to Cal Poly Humboldt in Fall 2024. He is also interested in the ways that computer programming can be used to visualize and understand geologic data and studied those applications at Miami University.
Hi I’m Rylin Marie Lofton. I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio. I studied at the American College of Greece for my freshman year and I’m an incoming transfer student at The Ohio State University studying biology. In my free time I enjoy Sci-fi/Fantasy books, karaoke and traveling. I have a love for all things science and hope to pursue a career in Science Communication and Outreach. I was a teaching assistant for advanced highschool biology for a year, I was outreach officer for The International Ocean Discovery Program expedition 398 science exhibit in Santorini, Greece. I’ve also sailed aboard the JOIDES Resolution for JR Academy which got me more interested in Geoscience and Marine science. I’m super excited to sail again with STEMSEAS.
Hi! My name is Bridget Reed. I was born and raised in Washington and am currently a student at Bellevue College where I am completing a Transfer Associates Degree. I have always wanted to be a teacher and am hoping to work in some sort of science communication field, whether that is presenting research, teaching high school science, or hopefully being a professor. I also love the outdoors and will take any chance I get to explore parks or forests near my hometown, however, learning about costal ecosystems as well as ocean and atmospheric interaction is something I’ve been fascinated by the last few years. Studying how the natural world works and being able to help other people understand it is really important to me, so I am looking forward to meeting everyone and can’t wait to see what I learn from them on this trip!
Hi! My name is Sydney Karb, and I live in Lynden, Washington. Lynden is located 10 minutes from the Canadian border in the great Pacific Northwest. I am currently a sophomore at Whatcom Community College getting my degree in Oceanography/Marine Biology transferring to the University of Washington or another college with a great Oceanography/Marine Biology program. Living in the PNW, I have had a lot of opportunities to work with local organizations such as NSEA focusing on habitat restoration for Salmon and educating the public about the decline in Salmon population in the Salish Sea. I’ve also spent time in the San Juan Islands learning about the different ecosystems and studying the geology of the islands. One of my goals is to work with the sirenian species(manatees and dugongs) helping these endangered species with restoration of their habitats and educating the public about the issues these species face…maybe a move to Florida is in my future! I am excited to be part of the STEMSEAS program to get hands-on experience and work with other people who are interested in the same field I am. My hobbies include kayaking, hiking and collecting all things sea life!
Hi, my name is Teagan Rudderow and I’m from southern New Jersey! Starting fall of 2023 I will be entering my sophomore year as a marine biology major at the University of Delaware. I’m presently most interested in studying Cnidaria organisms and working with marine life conservation; after traveling to the islands of Hawaii last summer, I was absolutely hooked. Outside of school, I enjoy surfing down the shore and am working towards earning my Open Water Scuba Certification and plan to earn my Advanced and Scientific Dive Certifications over winter break of 2024! I am extremely excited to sail with STEMSEAS this summer and to learn more about field research!
Hello, my name is William Moffatt, and I’m currently studying for my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma. I have been fascinated with marine life and ocean terrain for all my life, and I plan to get my Ph.D. in Oceanography once I graduate and get some research time in the water. I heard about STEMSEAS through a connection I made in another summer program, and I knew it would be the perfect experience for me and had to apply! In my free time I love scuba diving wherever I can, and I have even gone so far as to get my Advanced level certification. I look forward to meeting everyone soon and making connections for a lifetime!
Hi! My name is Jamie Asan. I am a Geology major at Queens College, The City University of New York. I am excited to be a part of the STEMSEAS program as I am passionate about marine geology! I am looking forward to the expedition to continue learning about the different subfields within the marine sciences from various professionals, and the opportunity to dive into the experience of what a scientific party working on a research vessel is like. My current interests include identifying, and picking different types of planktonic and benthic foraminifera within sedimentation cores samples under a microscope, to reconstruct changes in the oceans throughout time.
On the Kila Moana
Instructors
Joseph Montoya is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and Director of the Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Ocean Sciences and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a biological oceanographer with research interests at the interface of biology and geochemistry. Montoya has expertise in the marine nitrogen cycle and the role of N2-fixation (diazotrophy) in structuring the flow of nitrogen and energy through planktonic ecosystems. Much of his work has focused on N cycle processes in marine ecosystems using a combination of direct experimental rate measurements and stable isotope natural abundance approaches. Montoya’s research program is highly interdisciplinary, incorporating work in plankton biology, marine chemistry, and isotope biogeochemistry both at sea and in the lab. Montoya has worked extensively in the Gulf of Mexico, studying the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on offshore ecosystems, and in other tropical and subtropical oceanic systems including waters affected by the freshwater plumes of the Amazon, Mekong, and Mississippi Rivers. He has a strong interest in education and outreach and was a founding member of the Georgia Tech College of Sciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council.
Judah Epstein is a Geologist, Engineer, and Explorer. He has been Adjunct Faculty of Geology at Dallas College for several years and instructor for STEMSEAS aboard R/V Atlantis and R/V Endeavor. Judah’s 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. He also participated in School of Rock with International Ocean Discovery Program. Judah serves in the U.S Air Force Reserve as Civil Engineering Officer in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. And he works in Explosives Operations at a U.S. National Laboratory. Previously, Judah worked as a Field Engineer (B.S. Electrical Engineering, M.S. Management) throughout the USA and internationally on several continents. As an explorer, he has participated in numerous scientific and conservation field expeditions throughout the world. A few examples include Commander and Engineer at the Mars Desert Research Station, groundwater research in Nepal, teaching in Uganda, guide in Israel, NASA Planetary Field Volcanology, and utilizing technical tree climbing expertise to counter illegal logging and poaching in the Amazon, data collection on Gray Hawks in the canopy, and to rehabilitate orphaned orangutans in Borneo.
Abrian Curington is a Visual Storyteller and Cartographer. She graduated from Western Washington University, with a Bachelor of Arts, concentrating in Fine Arts, and minoring in Japanese, Classical Studies and Art History. She has also completed a graduate certificate in GIS Cartography from the University of Maidson—Wisconsin.
On land, she creates maps, comics and illustrations, featuring worlds both real and imagined. At sea, she has served as a Science Communicator aboard the E/V Nautilus, and an Artist-at-Sea aboard the R/V Falkor. She is interested in what curiosities come from the intersection of multiple disciplines and ideas.
Students
Hi! My name is Arianna Navarro. I am super thrilled to be part of STEMSEAS. I am an undergraduate at California State University Long Beach majoring in Marine Biology and pursuing a minor in Environmental Science & Policy. I have always been fascinated by the ocean and all its wonders. Marine animals are especially intriguing to me because of how unusual yet magnificent they are. My passion is to learn and care for marine animals and teach others about conservation. In my free time, I like to bake/cook, swim, play instruments, and volunteer. I am grateful for this opportunity and I am looking forward to learning new things and meeting new people.
Hey, I’m Olivia Braswell and have recently graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Geosciences at Mississippi State University. I wasn’t always studying Enviro Geosci and tried other areas of study, but after some trial and error and having that constant gut feeling to follow my interests, I decided to make the switch my junior year. I took a few courses that focused specifically on coastal environments and oceanography and have begun to dive further into those areas, which is how I found out about STEMSEAS. In my free time, I love traveling/road tripping, camping and other outdoor activities, going to concerts, and am testing my hand at film photography! I’m really looking forward to this unique opportunity and hope to meet people who share similar interests!
Hello, my name is Desmond Boyd and I’m from New Jersey. I’m a current Marine Science undergraduate at the University of South Carolina. I’ve always had a love and curiosity of the ocean from the smallest animal to the largest of plankton blooms. I hope to complete my undergraduate then work in the field before continuing my education. I hope that the experience I get from STEMSEAS helps to guide me to people I can learn from and places that could use a helping hand.
My name is Novaya and I am a Biology major at Western Washington University, in Washington State. I have always loved the natural world and learning about life around me, but I doubted my ability to pursue science for many years. Well, here I am now, and I couldn’t be happier, or more grateful for this opportunity! I would like to one day do work managing invasive species in the Salish Sea, and maybe even contribute to the conservation of salmon. In my spare time, I enjoy sewing, crocheting, and figure skating. This year, it’s my goal to learn the accordion!
Hello, My name is Lucia Hercher. I am from Long Beach California. I have always loved the beach and ocean and spent most of my days there growing up. I am an environmental studies major and have just graduated from California State University Monterey Bay. I’m eager to learn more about ocean and environmental research in the workforce. I was very happy to have the opportunity to be part of this amazing program. It is the perfect opportunity for me to learn new skills that will allow me to help prepare for Grad school by learning from my peers and mentors. As well as getting a better understanding of what I want to study the most. I have always been passionate about going into the field of environmental and wildlife conservation and my degree was a step in the right direction towards that goal. This opportunity offers even more hands-on work and learning. It is just the opportunity I was hoping for after graduating and I’m very excited to meet and learn from everyone.
My name is Olivia Hebert, and I’m from New Orleans, Louisiana. I’m entering my senior year at Louisiana State University, where I’m pursuing a degree in Coastal Environmental Science while attending law school through the 3+3 Environmental Law program. Environmental Law is a perfect fit for me, as I have a deep love for oceanography, writing, and problem-solving. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to join the STEMSEAS team on their expedition aboard the R/V Kilo Moana, where I’ll gain valuable real-world experience while working alongside other students and professionals in the field. I’m excited to apply my skills and passion for the environment as an environmental advocate. This opportunity will broaden my knowledge and perspective, and I’m eager to see where this adventure takes me.
My name is Rose Queally. I’m born and raised in Colorado, although I now live in the Tampa Bay Area. I’m a junior at Eckerd College, majoring in marine science and double minoring in business management and French. Some things I love are going to the beach, traveling, reading, and finding new places to go downtown. I’m SCUBA certified, and hope to conduct research on marine organisms once I graduate. I’m very excited for this transit, and am looking forward to all the experiences I’m going to gain!
Hi, I am Alexa Jamieson, and I am from Summerville, South Carolina and am currently a Junior at the University of South Carolina majoring in Marine Science. I have an Associates of Science degree from Trident Technical College. I love all things ocean and outdoors and I am extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity and the ability to fully immerse myself in life on a research vessel. My current interests are mostly in marine ecology and biology, but I am excited to explore and get a feel of any and all disciplines pertaining to the world’s oceans.
Aloha! My name is Nadia Martynenko and I am from Seattle, Washington. I am a Freshman attending the University of Washington, majoring in Oceanography. I work on autonomous underwater vehicles called Seagliders. With a group of students we work together to repair Seagliders and collect data with it. This spring we deployed our first Seaglider into Puget Sound! I am extremely grateful and beyond excited that STEMSEAS has allowed me to take part in this upcoming research expedition. I am eager to see the new doors STEMSEAS will open for me in the Oceanography field. During my free time I love to explore new places, traveling the world. I enjoy playing all sorts of sports, one of my favorites being Volleyball. Going into Oceanography, I decided that I would learn how to surf, therefore I am a beginner surfer. 🙂 I love the Ocean, whales are one of my favorite marine mammals.
