NOAA Teacher at Sea
Maria Madrigal
NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette
April 2-18, 2012
Mission: Comparison of Fishery Independent Sampling Methods
Geographical area of cruise: Tutuila, American Samoa
Science & Technology Log: April 4, 2012
What do you picture when you think of a scientist? Do you imagine a lone individual working in a sterile laboratory, dressed in a crisp white lab coat? The team of scientists involved in this project are far from that image. What does it take to be a scientist when your laboratory is beneath the ocean waves? Here are some brief bios of the scientists working on the comparative sampling method project to assess the populations of the shallow and deepwater coral reef fishes.
Meet the AUV Team! You’ll notice there is an animal next to each scientist. Each team member was asked to provide an animal that is part of the coral reef ecosystem that best represents who they are or how they contribute to the team.
CO-CHIEF SCIENTIST: BENJAMIN L. RICHARDS
Coral Reef Representative:
It is solitary and lives in semi exposed reef flats or lagoons. As juveniles, they resemble drifting pieces of algae not only in appearance but also in movement. Adults are wary and will dive into the sand if pursued. They have strong powerful jaws that allow them to turn over rocks in search of prey. Ben described them as little engineers that move and build things. Essentially, they get things done much like a chief scientist must do to successfully complete his/her mission.
Organization: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC)
Job Title: Research Fisheries Biologist
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Marine Ecology & Photography from Hampshire College, Master of Science in Coral Reef Ecology from University of Hawaii at Manoa, PhD in Ecology & Zoogeography of Large Bodied Fishes from University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Main Duties on this project: Experiment design and coordination of logistics and field operations in conjunction with Co-Chief Scientist.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Explorer like Jacques Cousteau
If I only knew then what I know now, I would tell myself…Experience new cultures. Start traveling internationally at an earlier age.
Favorite thing about his job: Going to sea. Exploring new places. Coming up with interesting questions and figuring out the answers.
CO-CHIEF SCIENTIST: JOHN ROONEY
Coral Reef Representative:
John likes the octopus because it is versatile, clever, and always seems to have a Plan B and Plan C. If you catch one it will wriggle like crazy. If that doesn’t work, it’ll start crawling across your face or squirt ink and swim away. If you put a fish in an aquarium it stays. An octopus will crawl out. Ok… so maybe that’s not necessarily the smartest thing under the circumstances, but John admires the attitude.
Organization: Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR)
Job Title: Benthic Habitat Characterization Ecologist
Education: Bachelor of Science in Geology from Tulane University, Master of Science in Biological Oceanography from University of Hawaii, PhD in Coastal Geology from University of Hawaii.
Main Duties on this project: Helps with any tasks on deck including the launching and retrieval of the AUV. He is also part of the decision making process in setting mission priorities.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Spy or Archeologist
If I only knew then what I know now, I would tell myself…Pursue what you are most passionate about and worry less on whether you can get a job doing it later.
Favorite thing about his job: He likes the trips, the diving and the people. One of his favorite projects involved researching more technical SCUBA diving techniques to be able to do deeper dives.
AUV CO-PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: M. ELIZABETH CLARKE
Coral Reef Representative:
Boxfishes do not have scales but rather have fused bony plates that give them their box-like appearance. They are slow swimmers and hover around the coral reef which gives them a “quirky” appearance which is how Liz describes herself. When it comes to science, being “quirky” or different is a good characteristic to possess. Scientists need to be able to think or see things differently. Quirkiness is ingenuity at its best.
Organization: Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC)
Job Title: Senior Scientist/Supervisory Research Fish Biologist
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from University of California at Irvine, Master of Science in Fisheries Biology from University of Alaska at Fairbanks, PhD in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Main Duties on this project: She originally created the AUV team for the NWFSC. Currently, the NWFSC and the PIFSC jointly operate the AUV and support each other’s research missions.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Nancy Drew
If I only knew then what I know now, I would tell myself… Aim higher. She realized she had low expectations for herself. She also would say to take a step back and take the time to explore what you are passionate about doing in life. Allow yourself the latitude to investigate what that passion is even if it slows you down for a little bit. You’ll find your pathway.
Favorite thing about her job: Going out to sea.
AUV PROGRAM MANAGER: JEREMY TAYLOR
Coral Reef Representative:
Nudibranchs are some of the most beautiful molluscs. Their bright coloration actually serves as a warning to its predators that they are toxic or distasteful. They lead secretive lives under and amongst the coral reefs. Jeremy likes that they are not the most common thing that people will look for in a coral reef. They are like diamonds in the rough. This relates to the hidden mastery that comes when writing the “script” (the driving instructions written in code) for the AUV.
Organization: Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR)
Job Title: Mapping Specialist
Education: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Cornell University with a double minor in Computer Science and Life Sciences
Main Duties on this project: Write the scripts to process the AUV data.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Marine Biologist
If I only knew then what I know now, I would tell myself…Computer Science is the way to go.
Favorite thing about his job: He is constantly learning.
AUV TECHNICIAN: ERICA FRUH
Coral Reef Representative:
Trigger fish get their name from their ability to lock their dorsal spine into position and “trigger” an adjacent spine. They have strong powerful jaws that allow them to squirt jets of water at sea urchins. They work tenaciously until they flip the sea urchin and expose its softer side. This tenacity reflects Erica’s work ethic. They also show parental care which demonstrates Erica’s caring nature as she has made me feel welcome right from the start of this journey.
Organization: Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC)
Job Title: Research Fisheries Biologist
Education: Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Auburn University, Master of Science in Marine Resource Management with a focus on Commercial Fisheries from Oregon State University.
Main Duties on this project: To run and maintain vehicle.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Dolphin Trainer at Sea World
If I only knew then what I know now, I would tell myself…Keep doing what you want to do. You can make a career with what you like. You don’t have to sit at a desk. There are lots of jobs that have outside components.
Favorite thing about her job: There is always something new everyday; different places and animals. You never know what may be coming up next.
AUV TECHNICIAN: CURT WHITMIRE
Coral Reef Representative:
Curt chose the cuttlefish because he has always been impressed by their cryptic ability and voracious appetite. Its prey is paralyzed by poisonous saliva or crushed by the strong beak. Cuttlefish along with the other familiar cephalopods like the squid and octopus (head-footed molluscs) are believed to be the smartest invertebrates. It has a large brain that can process lots of information that aids in its speedy escape response and predatory tactics. Just like the cuttlefish, Curt has the ability to interpret plenty of data collected by the AUV.
Organization: Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC)
Job Title: Information Technology Specialist
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology from Arizona State University, Master of Science in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University and double minor in Fisheries & Wildlife and Earth Information Science & Technology (GIS)
Main Duties on this project: Technical support for the AUV
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Fighter Pilot
If I only knew then what I know now, I would tell myself…Travel more
Favorite thing about his job: The variety and diversity of the projects that are assigned to him.
NOAA OFFICE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OBSERVER: ALLEN SHIMADA
Coral Reef Representative:
Its body is designed for speed. It is a schooling fish and is frequently seen with other species of fish but also associates with dolphins. Allen’s father, Bell Shimada, made a distinctive mark in the study of Pacific tropical tuna stocks. Allen chose the Tuna because he likes looking at the bigger picture. It is something he must do as his work is to represent and work with all six fisheries science centers.
Organization: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
Job Title: Fisheries Biologist (Management)
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northwestern University, Bachelor of Science in Fisheries from University of Washington, Master of Science in Marine Policy from University of Washington.
Main Duties on this project: Observational. He helps all six fisheries science centers get the resources they need to conduct their projects.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Marine Biologist
If I only knew then what I know now, I would tell myself…Go straight to University of Washington and begin with fisheries
Favorite thing about his job: Going out to sea.