Journals 2004/2005

Debbie Quintero
St. Lucie West Middle School, Port Saint Lucie, Florida

I. "Biological and Cultural Resources at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary" Woods Hole, Massachusetts June 20-25, 2004 II. "Analyzing Data from the Nancy Foster Cruise" The University of Maine's Darling Marine Center Walport, Maine July 7-16, 2004

Journal Index: June Intro - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 (I. Woods Hole, Massachusetts) July 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 (II. Darling Marine Center, Walport, Maine)

I. DAY SIX: Friday, June 25, 2004

Today is our last day together. It is a day of loading equipment, packing and saying goodbye. It has been a wonderful experience and I can not thank everyone enough for their patience, guidance, and willingness to share. At this point I would like to share a little of what I learned about these wonderful individuals who shared their research experience with me.

Page Valentine is a marine geologist that presently works for USGS at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Dr. Valentine received his BA from George Washington University in 1970, his Masters and PH.D. from the University of California in 1974. Dr. Valentine specializes in mapping seabed and its habitats. Using a piece of equipment called the "SEABOSS" he is able to video and photograph the images below. The SEABOSS is also equipped with a grab to collect sediment samplings for texture analysis. Because exploration of the sea floor is difficult the development of this equipment was significant in helping establish a database for future research. The equipment was designed by a scientist and built by the U. S. government. It is equipped with video cameras, which record from two angels, forward motion and bottom view. It also has a still camera, which allows the scientist to take pictures . Since it is pulled along side the ship it is possible to know where it is at all times. Its lasers give the scientist its position in latitude and longitude. The purpose of this project is to establish a more uniform system of classification that is not as generalized as what is presently being used.

Kari Heinonen graduated from Eastern Connecticut University where she majored in biology and with a minor in in chemistry. She has her MS from the University of Connecticut in biological oceanography. She is pursuing her PH.D. in the same field.

Betsy Grannis was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is a middle child with two sisters. Betsy's interest in the ocean was spawned by her father, a high school biology teacher. Science has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Betsy received her bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan. She majored in biology. She attended Darling Marine Center where she received her MS in oceanography. Her undergrad work included work on aquatic habitats and fisheries. Betsy's thesis was entitled "The impacts of mobile fishing gear and buried cable on soft sediment benthic community structure". This is the final stage of her two years of research. Betsy firmly believes in the importance of human impact studies. These studies enable communities to make informed choices in regulating our oceans. Education and good governmental controls are key to the preservation of the world's greatest resource.

Sarah Fuller is working with Page Valentine on a two year internship with USGS. Sarah received her Bachelors degree in geology from the University of Vermont. She is currently doing graduate studies on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These systems give researchers ways to display and analize data. After her cruise on the Nancy Foster Sarah is embarking on a new challenge, married life! Congratulations Sarah, may happiness follow you always.

Dann Blackwood is a photography oceanography technician originally from Newport Beach, California. Mr. Blackwood spent his summers as a child in Vermont living in an old schoolhouse his parents had refurbished. When he was ready to attend high school his parents relocated to Vermont where Dann became a member of the photography club. It was here he discovered his love of photography. He left Vermont to attend college in Florida at the Florida Institute of Technology in Jensen Beach. He learned to scuba dive and became interested in underwater photography. He completed college in Syracuse New York where he majored in photography. While searching for a job upon graduation he knew that Wood Holes Oceanography Institute was his number one choice. He has been working there now since 1980. Dann's photographs can be seen on the USGS website.