5 May, 2003

I want to take this opportunity to thank each person that has made this experience one that I will never forget. First, I would like to thank the National Science Foundation. Without their funding, the TEA program would not even exist. I could never express how much I have learned or will be able to share. Memories flood my mind when I think back on this experience. I will spend a lifetime sharing what this trip has taught me. I would also like to thank the TEA program and its administrators. They have been most supportive. This is a very well designed program with specific goals- keeping science forefront in the classroom and community. They work very hard making this experience a memorable one. I would also like to thank the S-022 research team from UAB. I have felt like I was a real part of this team. I learned so much about life under the water and how we can apply what we learn about these organisms and their defenses to other areas of science. Their work will not go unnoticed! They work very hard and painstakingly to get accurate results. I would also like to thank our other sponsors that have made this research expedition available to me: The Office of Polar Programs, Rice University, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire. I want to thank Dr. Stephanie Shipp for making sure I was as prepared as possible for this trip. I would like to thank my Resource Mentoring Group leader, Marge Porter, and the other group members for their encouragement all along the way. I would also like to thank Arlyn Bruccoli for her organization and keeping all the details in order. This journal could not have existed without or web coordinator, April Metz. Thank you April!