Mentors
My name is Chris Hintz. I am a Professor at Savannah State University in the Marine and Environmental Science Department. I teach courses in oceanography, marine chemistry, oceanographic instrumentation, and aquaculture. In my research I study many topics carbon dioxide in the ocean, tidal reach in the Georgia estuaries and tidal-driven transport of chemistries across our southeast US estuaries, oyster aquaculture optimization and light pollution impacting sea turtle nesting here in Georgia. The R/V Kilo Moana STEMSEAS cruise is my third STEMSEAS cruise, 21st as chief scientist with nearly 9 months total time at sea, however, this is my first time to sail across the Pacific to Hawai’i.
Dr. Dwight Ebanks, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences at Savannah State University, in Savannah, GA. He earned a Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Fisheries from the University of Miami and has a BS in Marine Biology and MS in Marine Sciences both from Savannah State University. His research interests include understanding the physiological responses in marine fishes to Ocean Acidification, trophic dynamics of estuarine fishes, elasmobranch (shark, rays, skates and sawfishes) electroreception and marine science education.
Emma Robertson (she/her) is a PhD student at the Alfred Wegener Institute and Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich. Her research uses seawater isotopes to investigate salinity changes in the Southern Ocean. This is her third time sailing with STEMSEAS since 2019 and her first time sailing as a mentor. She completed a master’s in Geography at Penn State University where she was a NSF Graduate Research Fellow in Geography. Her master’s research used ice core records to study atmospheric rivers and ice sheet-climate interactions. She also has a BS in Environmental Science and BA in Geography from UMass Amherst. Emma’s upbringing in Los Angeles, CA and Melbourne, Australia fostered her interest in global climate change impacts and international environmental justice issues.
Dr. Yvonne Cagle was raised in Novato, graduated Novato High School, Novato, California, in 1977; received a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from San Francisco State University in 1981, and a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Washington in 1985. Transitional internship at Highland General Hospital, Oakland, California, in 1985. Received certification in Aerospace Medicine from the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, in 1988. Completed residency in at Ghent Family Practice at Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1992. Received certification as a senior aviation medical examiner from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1995. Received an honorary Ph.D. in Humanities from Fordham University in 2014. Selected by NASA in April 1996, Cagle reported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas in August 1996. She completed two years of training and evaluation and is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist.
Students
My name is Alisha Andrews. I am dedicated undergraduate at Oregon State University majoring in fish and wildlife with a minor in marine biology conservation & management. I have a passion for marine science and ready to dive in and start making waves of a difference.
Miyari (Hi/Hola/Bonjour)! My name is Aspen Bataille and I’m a recent graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor’s in Anthropology (double minors in Latin American and sustainability studies). My family is originally from the Caribbean, so by being born on the east coast of the US and travelling often to see family, I grew up seeing the effects of climate change and need for management first-hand. Following that, I firmly believe that by recognizing and working with the interconnections between our environments’, communities can make themselves more resilient. I am pursuing a career in the field of community-engaged marine conservation and have had previous experience in positions with National Geographic Society and Oceana, Inc., but have yet to get my feet in the water professionally. In my free-time, I enjoy hiking and generally being by the ocean, so I’m excited to get to challenge that while learning on my research expedition on the Kilo Moana!
Hello! My name is Enrico Moreno. I am an undergraduate at Chabot Community College in Hayward California, going for an engineering degree. I’m hoping to transfer to a 4-year university so I can pursue either aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering! I’m very lucky to have Dr. Tess Weathers introduce me to STEMSeas, as I wouldn’t have known about this opportunity without her! I am very thrilled to be able to participate in STEMSeas, to be able to explore the inner workings of a research vessel, as well as experience being on a long cruise surrounded by research projects! Being able to conduct and help with proper research firsthand excites me! When not on STEMSeas, I do a couple of things, such as 3d modeling, 3d printing, and coding. Then I got some regular hobbies such as video games and playing the violin/guitar. Very excited to learn so much about the sea along with the engineering/functionality of the Kilo Moana!
Hi Guys! My name is Jordan Winn and I just finished up my last year at Riverside City College. I am currently a geology major planning to switch to geophysics wanting to study the field of seismology. In my career, I am extremely interested in learning better engineering for buildings to withstand strong earthquakes and I am excited to explore other areas of seismology like mid ocean ridges, basins, and subsurface seismic activity on the planet. For the next two years, I will be transferring to The University of California, Los Angeles and I will continue with my studies later at graduate school. My hobbies include, national parks, going to the beach (all the time), and wasting my entire paycheck (or others lol) on clothing shopping. Nice to meet you guys 🙂
Hi there, I’m Madison Diaz, but you can just call me by my last name Diaz! I’m currently attending Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California; I’m nearly done with my associates and I have plans to transfer to UC Santa Cruz next fall in pursuit of a B.A. in History! I’d never had much of a fixation on the sciences before, but this last fall I took an oceanography class and fell in love with the subject. I went on to both assist the professor and become a tutor of oceanography and navigation in the following semester. It’s because of my oceanography professor that I know about STEMSEAS, and though I applied with little prospects for being selected, I’m absolutely stoked to be a part of this expedition and to experience geoscience research firsthand! I love reading (especially classic literature), drawing, and walking around my native San Francisco bay! I’m very excited to meet new people and learn everything I can on this voyage.
My name is Lorenzo Robbins and I am a community college student from San Diego, CA. I am currently pursuing a degree in engineering after working 17 years in the building trades as an ironworker. My interests are activities that keep me in the moment. My passion is self improvement whether that be physically or mentally. I have a strong work ethic and I believe I can make my aspirations a reality. I am thankful for this opportunity and look forward to the expedition.
Hello! My name is Maddie Stankus, from Pennsylvania. Ever since a young age I have been helping people through tending to their needs while catching the travel bug from my parents. My curious mind has reached the realm of why specific things happen in the world. These interests all go into my double major of Regional Planning and GIS at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Experiences are the best way to learn about the world around us and that is what this STEAMSEAS program has offered to students in a university. I hope to pursue a planning job in Africa while taking into account the world that provides us with vast resources, to bring essentials needs to others. Some of my hobbies are reading, skiing, and Irish dancing!
Hello, my name is Ivan Dubro and I am a 4th year student at the University of Washington majoring in Oceanography. I spend a lot of my time on the waters of the Puget Sound either deploying marine sensors or kayaking with my family. From a young age I was captivated by ocean exploration, and I decided to dedicated my career to ocean exploration and research. I am currently working towards pursuing a career in the marine geology and geochemistry field. I am looking forward to the Kilo Moana STEMSEAS cruise and gaining more experience in oceanographic sampling, seamanship and meeting fellow student scientists!
My name is Genesis Ruiz and I am an 18-year-old biology major who has just completed my first year at San Diego City Community College. As a Puerto Rican/Mexican woman aspiring to a career in STEM, I hope to inspire others like myself who follow in my footsteps. My participation in the STEMSEAS voyage has been pivotal in shaping my career aspirations. Assisting with ocean research and engaging in a student-led project aboard the Kilo Moana has solidified my passion for hands-on fieldwork in biology. Each day brings me closer to becoming the first in my family to earn a degree, and I am motivated not only by my own goals but also by the dreams of those before me who couldn’t pursue higher education.
Hello! My name is Yannie Liu and I am currently pursuing a major in geology at Mount San Antonio College. I aim to specialize in geochemistry and material science, focusing on optimizing the use of natural resources and reducing environmental pollution through more efficient distribution and utilization of scarce resources. I also have a strong interest in field research and traveling globally to discover new energy sources and minerals.
Hello, my name is Angelina Piburn. I am currently studying biology at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, Arizona where I have just completed my first year. As of now, my plan is to transfer to Northern Arizona University where I will focus on studying wildlife ecology in order to eventually work doing wildlife conservation and rehabilitation to reintroduce hurt animals or those that have been taken away, back into their natural habitats. I have recently been contemplating whether I may prefer to work with terrestrial animals or marine life. Having been born and raised in the desert, I think that STEMSEAS is an incredible opportunity to experience living, working, and being so close with the ocean.
