Mentors
Nooreen Meghani is a geologist from Urbana, IL, and has served 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.
Waverly Ray is a professor of geography at San Diego Mesa College. She studied geology and geography as an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech and earned master’s and doctorate degrees in geography from Texas State University-San Marcos. As the faculty advisor to the student environmental sustainability and conservation club called TerraMesa, she oversees the campus vegetable garden and supports climate and food justice projects. As coordinator of the Transnational Approaches to Sustainable Food Futures and Strengthening Our Roots programs, she advises students on agriculture and food systems-related research and careers. She sailed aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson on the inaugural community college faculty STEMSEAS expedition in 2023. This year, she participated in the School of Rock on the JOIDES Resolution in Amsterdam and she joined a hydrology research team in the far north of Greenland as a Polar STEAM Educator Fellow.
Joe Ruggiero is a PhD student and marine geologist at Colorado School of Mines studying Antarctic Ice Sheet history using marine sediment archives and multi-proxy methods. His driving research questions involve how glaciated or otherwise cold environments have changed throughout Earth’s history in response to climate change. In February 2024, Joe sailed as a scientist aboard the RVIB Nathaniel B Palmer as part of a team working to discover the timing of ice sheet retreat in the Ross Sea following the last glacial maximum. When he’s not working, you can usually find Joe whitewater kayaking or reading supernatural mystery novels.
Stefani Martynenko studied at the University of Washington, and have a degree in Oceanography. I’ve sailed on a tall ship Robert C Seaman where I researched algae and coral reefs. I’ve also sailed on Thomas G. Thomspon with the OOI program where I helped with ROV operations and conducted research on hypoxia near the Oregon coast. Currently, I work for UNOLS, an organization that helps facilitate oceanographic research around the country and beyond. I have quite an extensive background in science communications as well and hope to incorporate a few projects into this cruise. Going out to the open ocean has been eye-opening for me and the memories I made are incredible. I am happy for all students who will participate in this program and know for certain that they will cherish these memories made through the STEMSEAS program. A little about me: I love the outdoors and staying active. You will find me hiking, on the beach, paddle boarding, and playing volleyball. I also love traveling and can never get enough of it. I enjoy going to museums and always try to visit a few wherever I go.
Students
Hi, my name is Alexa Alvarez and I am an undergraduate entering into my third year at the University of California, Davis. I am double majoring in Political Science B.A., and Marine and Coastal Science B.S. I am hispanic and was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Growing up in LA, I have always been surrounded by the ocean which is where my love to study the ocean and the living organisms within it. This will be my first time traveling overseas so I am very excited to have the chance to explore and learn throughout the process with STEMSEAS. I am very excited for what STEMSEAS has in hold for me and the experience and knowledge I will gain from this trip.
My name is Kira Davis and I am a rising senior at Western Washington University majoring in Marine & Coastal Science, with minors in Environmental Policy and Spanish! This year I will be serving on WWU’s student government as the VP for Sustainability, studying harbor seal behavior with Dr. Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez in the WWU Marine Mammal Ecology Lab, and doing my senior capstone research project – investigating chemical pollutants in Birch Bay, WA – with Dr Karin Lemkau. This will be my first time onboard a research vessel and I am so excited to get seagoing experience, learn about all the different roles onboard, and experience the beautiful Pacific Ocean in a new way.
Hallo! My name is Matthew Velasco. I am a first-year master’s student and research assistant at San Diego State University, studying Geography with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I have a B.S. in Mathematics from UC Irvine and just completed my A.S in GIS/A.A in Sustainability from San Diego Mesa College. My research includes math teaching methods and geocomputation curriculum development. In my free time, I enjoy exploring nature, playing the piano, and reading about histories and cultures. This is my first cruise with STEMSEAS, but I have 4 years experience at sea as a Navy nuclear electrician on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. I am excited to sail with the R/V Sally Ride and learn from the vast experiences of our mentors, the crew, and fellow students. I hope one day I can also use my experiences to teach and inspire others into science.
Greetings everyone! My name is Ndidiamaka Mason ( she/ her) is a recent graduate of Savannah State University majoring in Marine Science. My areas of study are coral restoration, water management and microplastics. I am from Washington, D.C. and hope to expand my career endeavors to the Caribbean expanding my higher knowledge and coral restoration efforts. I am PADI certified in Open Water and Advanced Diving. Additionally, I hope to gain so much knowledge on this voyage with STEMSEAS!
Hello my name is John Myers and I am entering my senior year at California State University of Monterey Bay. My major is in Marine Science so I am absolutely thrilled to be apart of the STEMSEAS Sally Ride expedition. I come from the Central Valley of California and I have always had a passion for all things ocean. I love surfing, boating, and scuba diving. On land, my interests are in skating, music, and rock climbing. I am really looking forward to meeting new people and learning more about what it’s like to be on a research vessel!
Hello! My name is Necole Gonzalez, and I am a Civil and Environmental Engineer major at Chabot Community College. In addition to my engineering role, I serve as a Geological Embedded Tutor on campus, where I am enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge and experiences with fellow students. I am also excited to be able to participate in STEMSEAS, taking full advantage of the research opportunities available on the research vessel and learn new skills and knowledge. Outside of my professional and academic pursuits, I enjoy playing video games, hiking, and doing embroidery. I look forward to being able to sail and conduct research and meet all new people from all different backgrounds and knowledge.
Rohan Vaswani is a rising third year undergraduate at the University of California – Irvine majoring in Earth system science with a specialization in oceanography and minoring in literary journalism. He is a 2024 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) Undergraduate Scholar. This summer, he has recently completed his summer internship with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration in Silver Spring MD where he analyzed ROV footage and bioacoustic data for his research project. At his home institution, Rohan is an undergraduate researcher for the Ocean and Climate Dynamics Group within the Department of Earth System Science where he is working on an independent project modeling the drift of lagrangian particles in oceanic instabilities along density interfaces. He has diverse interests in ocean exploration, physical oceanography, science communication, marine technology, and marine operations. For fun, Rohan loves to take photos and get outdoors through hiking, cycling, backpacking, and kayaking! The STEMSEAS R/V Sally Ride expedition will be Rohan’s first time aboard a research vessel and he is looking forward to this amazing opportunity!
Hello! My name is Jose Solorzano and I am a sophomore undergraduate at the University of Miami, where I study Marine Affairs and Oceanography. I have many interests when it comes to marine science; including physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, marine biology, and marine policy, so I’m in the midst of discovering what field is right for me. Regardless of my profession, I am confident I want to make a positive impact on our nation’s response to the climate emergency. Being born and raised in Miami, I’ve witnessed the devastating effects of sea level rise, extreme heat, and more take place right in my community, and each year it gets worse. I’m hoping that my STEMSEAS experience (which I am beyond excited for!) will introduce me to life as a working scientist and perhaps influence my career choice.
My name is Sierra Rothman-Haji and I am an undergraduate student majoring in Geology at Colby College. I am passionate about polar geology and climatology while continuing to explore the broader field of geology. Through my coursework and research opportunities, I have developed skills in sample processing and analysis and a love for working in cold places! Outside of academics, I serve as a captain of my school’s ultimate frisbee team and president of the Pottery Club. In the future, I hope to continue with geology in higher education and hopefully make it to Antarctica!
