Posted on by Sinh Nguyen

Sinh Nguyen: Scientists who SEA, July 14, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Sinh Nguyen

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

July 7, 2025 – July 24, 2025

Mission: Larval Bluefin Tuna Slope Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Ocean, Slope Sea

Date: July 14, 2025

Weather Data:

1:32 PM Eastern Time

Norfolk, Virginia

The temperature is 32°C (89°F)

Career Spotlight

Uplift Education, Mighty K-12 scholars: Did you know some people have jobs where they explore the ocean, study sea animals, and help take care of our planet? 

Some of you, even those already thinking ahead in middle or high school, might be wondering what kinds of jobs or studies you can pursue one day.  Well, today we’re going to meet some real-life ocean heroes: the scientists on the science crew who are sailing aboard NOAA Ship Pisces for the larval bluefin tuna mission.   They come from all over the United States and are experts at what they do. 

Why are they awesome?  If you’d like: go ahead and think, share, and then draw or write your responses on this digital whiteboard:

https://www.whiteboard.chat/board/963e0100-9dc6-4679-85ff-2116fdc539d1-pgNum-1

Based on some of your responses… these scientists are curious like inquirers, hardworking and knowledgeable, and they show they are caring by helping protect sea life.  They are communicators who share what they know, and courageous learners who explore the unknown!  Now, let’s learn more about our science crew to find out how you might be a sea explorer one day!

* Note: I’ll be updating this post throughout the cruise. These interviews were rephrased to fit into the blog. For full interview responses, please click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bvKvswISdjFMMqG7QNoc8FDox74Ysey-Xp2ERMLvajc/edit?usp=sharing

a view from an upper deck of NOAA Ship Pisces over the bow. Four women stand at the rail, leaning on their elbows, looking ahead as the ship exits the port of Norfolk. We can see tall buildings and other large ships off to each side. The words Meet the Scientists! are imposed in the middle of the image.

Meet the Scientists!

Hi, I’m David Richardson! I live in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, but grew up in Sierra Madre, California. I studied Natural Resources at Cornell University, then went to grad school at the University of Miami. I’m the chief scientist on this cruise, which means I help plan how we collect data to meet our science goals. My research focuses on larval fish, fish migrations, and how ocean conditions affect fisheries. My favorite marine animal’s the sail fish. They’re beautiful at every stage of life! I love science because it helps us make the world better. In fisheries science, our work helps keep fish populations healthy so people can continue to enjoy fishing and have access to food.

Fun fact: My first research was on baby eels near Barbados. I discovered and illustrated six types of eel larvae that were new to science! That experience showed me how much of the ocean is still a mystery. My advice: Pay attention in math and writing but also get outside! Observing nature is one of the best ways to become a great scientist.

portrait headshot photo of a man in a green t-shirt in front of what may be a Christmas tree
photo of a woman in a float coat, black overalls, a beanie, aand workboots standing on an upper deck of the ship; we can see part of the bow, calm seas, and a cloudy sunset in the distance

My name’s Allison Black! I’m from eastern Connecticut and often at sea. I studied Zoo and Wildlife Biology at Malone University and worked briefly as a zookeeper before focusing on ornithology. My favorite (yet unseen) marine animal is the Wandering Albatross. They can travel over 75,000 miles a year! On this project, I’m surveying seabirds and marine mammals. I love the ocean’s mystery and the chance to keep learning through different cruises. Fun fact: by year’s end, I’ll have 500 sea days! My advice: stay flexible, stay curious, and seize opportunities you didn’t know existed.

I’m Chrissy Hernández! I grew up in New Jersey and now live in Oxford, England. I earned my bachelor’s from Columbia University and my PhD from the MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography. I’ve worked as a researcher at Cornell and Oxford. I’m a population ecologist who studies biological oceanography and theoretical ecology. My favorite marine animal is the bluefin tuna! Aboard the ship, I help deploy plankton nets, identify tuna larvae, and guide sampling efforts. I love the ocean’s vastness and mystery, and how tiny organisms like phytoplankton produce half the world’s oxygen. Fun fact: I once shaved my head and tossed the hair overboard during an equator-crossing tradition!

portrait headshot of a woman wearing an orange t-shirt and glasses; we see trees and a city skyline behind her
headshot selfie of a woman standing in front of the ocean, a beautiful pastel sunset in the background

Hi, I’m Autumn Moya! I’m from Colorado and now live in Silver Spring, Maryland. I studied Biology at Western Colorado University with a focus on environmental biology, and I’m finishing my Master’s in Coastal Science at the University of Southern Mississippi. My research models how offshore development might affect the Atlantic surf clam fishery. I’m currently a John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow with NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. I support communications, policy, and events. I’m excited to join research cruises like this one. My favorite marine animal is the cuttlefish. Did you know they can change color as fast as a blink? I’ve always loved the ocean, even growing up in a landlocked state. Since finishing my bachelor’s, I’ve lived in seven states! My advice to future scientists: stay curious and never hesitate to reach out. Science is for everyone!

Hi, I’m Amanda Jacobsen! I’m from Rhode Island. I studied Environmental Studies at Connecticut College and now I’m working on my master’s in Marine Biology at UMass Dartmouth. On this cruise, I help deploy nets and collect seawater to study the carbon in it. My favorite sea creature is the lumpfish. Look it up, it’s cool! I’ve worked on over 80 boats, and I love biology because it lets me explore the hidden world of ocean life.

Sometimes only visible under a microscope.

My advice to you: Stay curious and try new things, you might discover something amazing or meet someone who inspires you!

a woman kneels on the aft deck on one knee, both hands on a piece of scientific equipment (maybe a water profiler) resting on deck. she pauses what she is doing to turn and smile for the camera.

Hi! My name is Kristen Walter and I live in Miami, Florida. I graduated from the College of William and Mary with a master’s in marine science. I now work for the University of Miami/CIMAS studying coral reef fishes and bluefin tuna! My favorite marine animal is probably the nudibranch! I’m here on this cruise to help locate larval bluefin tuna, set and recover nets, preserve and identify fish, and test out new methods of capture using light traps. A fun fact about me is that I got to participate in the Aquarius Reef Base Underwater Habitat in Key Largo when I was in grad school. If you’d like to get into marine science, look for summer internships. Many places offer programs for high school students. Get your feet wet. Anything is possible!

Scientist Betsey observing the sunset.
Scientist Sarah sailing at the Nauticus Museum when we were in Norfolk, Virginia.
A group photo of the science crew!

Personal Log

Over the weekend, we moved back onto NOAA Ship Pisces.  It felt nice to return after a few nights in a hotel while crew members got everything ready for our big mission. 

view of computer screens, keyboards, mice on a wooden desk in an interior room of the ship
When we’re not setting things up, we spend time working in a place called the dry lab.  The dry lab has computers, machines, and tables for us to study the ocean data we collect during the mission.  I’ve been using this time to write my blog! 
broader view of the dry lab: metal tables, a wooden desk, computers, computer chairs, two unidentifiable people sitting, facing away from the camera
Many scientists also bring their laptops, journals, or books to read or work on.  It’s a quiet place where people come and go, but when it’s time to work, everyone jumps in to help!
three women - one seated at a desk, two standing - are in discussion. the seated woman holds up a piece of plastic film with her left hand.
Scientists Kristen, Chrissy, and Sarah are making sure the light traps for our drifters (for catching fish) are ready.

Just like we practice fire drills and safety rules at school, there are also important rules and practice drills in case of emergencies. 

two people walk through a hallway of the ship toward an exit to an outer deck
Staying safe is super important when you’re out at sea.
a NOAA Corps Officer (in blue uniform) stands at the front of the mess hall and holds a breathing apparatus up; it blocks the view of his face. we can see the chair legs are capped in cut tennis balls to prevent them from sliding
Lieutenant Musick, one of the operations officers, is giving us safety training.  He’s showing us how to use an EEBD (emergency escape breathing device).  
a group of people stand outside on the aft deck, surrounding a NOAA Corps Officer in a blue uniform using his hands to illustrate a point
We were given a tour of places to know for emergencies. All crews were involved including members from science, NOAA Corps, engineer, and deck teams pictured here
a piece of paper attached to a door with a magnet. the paper reads: TAS Nguyen, Sinh, and then lists three sets of muster locations for Fire & Emergency, Abandon Ship, and Mariner Overboard. The three scenarios also include depictions of the corresponding morse code, shown as boxes or rectangles
Outside of each stateroom, or everyone’s rooms, there is information on where you report to and what your role is during emergencies.  It’s a good idea to study this information!
Sinh (right) and a woman (left) pose for a selfie with a dummy used in safety exercises
With our floaty rescue dummy!

Safety first! I need to make sure I can stay afloat in case I ever have to evacuate into the water.

I tried on an immersion suit, or “Gumby suit,” to make sure I can float in water. It’s also designed to keep people warm in the water in case they have to abandon ship or go into the water.
Sinh, wearing his Teacher at Sea baseball cap, poses for a photo - making a shasta sign with his left hand and with his right, grasping the bagged survival suit and personal flotation device. he is standing on an outer deck.
So far, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know everyone on board.  I’m a lot more familiar with everything around the ship, including where all the rooms, crew members, and emergency equipment are.  I’m feeling excited about our mission once we set sail. 

Next time, I’ll be writing about a special tool we use called the CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth), which helps us learn more about the ocean!

Did you know?

NOAA ships have their own weather stations right on board.  That means they can measure wind, rain, temperature, and more.  Even while they’re sailing across the ocean!  What do you think scientists do with that information?

close up of a digital display mounted to a ceiling. currently it displays latitude and longitude
The station also shows navigational information, which gives everyone exact locations (coordinates) of the ship.

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