Mentors
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 Endeavour. He has also participated in School of Rock with International Ocean Drilling Program. He 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, Mr. Epstein worked as a Field Engineer (B.S. Electrical Engineering) throughout the USA and internationally on several continents. As an explorer, Mr. Epstein 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, NASA Planetary Field Volcanology, and utilizing technical tree climbing expertise to counter illegal logging and poaching in the Amazon and to rehabilitate orphaned orangutans in Borneo.
Judah has previously published a thesis of “Sedimentary Water Filtration in a Planetary Environment” for his Master of Science in Geosciences, “Experiences of Expedition at Mars Desert Research Station” in MarsPapers, and peer-reviewed article of “Tree Climbing for Orangutan Conservation” in the journal of Primate Conservation. Currently he is writing children’s book of “PaleoMan”.
Joe Ruggiero is a finishing Master’s student at Northern Illinois University, where he studies micropaleontology and paleo-oceanography in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. His current research involves developing novel ways of understanding the Southern Ocean of the past and is working to develop a proxy for past Sea Surface Temperature using diatom morphology. He has worked as an environmental consultant remediating oil spills and other environmental hazards, and hopes to continue doing research and start a PhD in polar sedimentology and stratigraphy. He is interested in the intersection of geoscience research, traditional education, and outdoor/experiential learning. In his free time, Joe enjoys whitewater kayaking, cycling, and trying to pronounce diatom names like Fragilariopsis kerguelensis.
Samantha McComb – University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Students
Richard Otoo is a junior at Montclair State University, majoring in geography urban and environmental studies, with a minor in political science. He has always been interested in STEM but most recently in geoscience and microplastic pollution. Richard has been a part of multiple research papers two of which he spearheaded. During his time at MSU Richard has also been involved holding positions in different organizations and departments like the MSU Student Government President, treasurer of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, vice president of the honors program advisory board, and LSAMP program researcher. Richard is very excited to be taking on this role as a student research voyager and looks forward to the experiences and learning opportunities that STEMseas has to offer.
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!
Alexis Halvin – I live roughly 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I recently graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, now known as Penn West Clarion with a Bachelors in Biological Science after obtaining an Associate degree in Biological Science from the Community College of Beaver County. I am SSI scuba certified and have over 25 logged dives. I love the outdoors and am beyond excited to further my love for biology and living systems through STEMSEAS.
Hi! My name is Olivia Hebert, and I’m from New Orleans. I’m currently a Junior at Louisiana State University majoring in Coastal Environmental Sciences. I’m participating in LSU’s 3+3 Environmental Law program, which allows students from certain majors to attend their first year of law school in place of the senior year for undergrad. I plan to begin law school next fall. I’ve always loved the ocean, and have been fascinated with the wildlife it contains. Being from New Orleans and experiencing many extreme weather events combined with my love for the ocean is what sparked my interest in environmental sciences. I also love to write and wanted to hold those accountable who knowingly cause harm to our planet, which is how I decided to pursue environmental law. I’m extremely excited about my upcoming STEMSEAS expedition and can’t wait to learn and experience many new things.
Hi, My name is Ben Tuttle! I am from Barre, Massachusetts, and about to start my senior year at Massachusetts Maritime Academy studying Marine Science, Safety, Environmental protection, with a minor in Marine Biology. I am actively involved in the regiment of cadets, as I am serving as the Environmental Operations Operations Officer for this academic year. I have done work with NOAA Fisheries looking at how Atlantic Surf Clams are being affected by Ocean Acidification around Cape Cod and wanted to find more opportunities related to Oceanography, leading me to apply to STEMSEAS. I am thrilled to be participating in this program, as I hope to get more experience aboard ships and meet likeminded people. My hobbies include Running, Scuba diving, skiing, fishing, and longboarding.
Cullen Hauck
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 my name is Olivia Johnson. I’m a senior at the University of Washington in Seattle. I’m majoring in environmental studies with a minor in marine biology. I plan on going to graduate school at Western Washington University and becoming a high school science teacher. I love working with people and being collaborative. I enjoy the outdoors. In my free time I go backpacking in the North Cascades and on the Olympic Coast in Washington.
Jesse Avandano
