9 March, 2001

-068 04 Latitude

073 13 E Longitude

Kim Our Marine Science Technician

Over the next few weeks I will be doing several personal profiles of people on board the ship. For starters I thought I will begin with someone from my hometown.

How small our world is never ceases to surprise me. One of the most pleasurable experiences I have had on this scientific cruise is working with Kim Grimm. Kim is one of the Marine Science Technicians (MST) on board the Ship. The surprising part is she is a graduate of San Dieguito High School, a school in my own district! Having her on board is like having a bit of home with you. To be able to talk to someone who knows the same places you do, Miracle's Cafe, the surf hangouts, running on the beach, all the things that make our little community so special is such a comfort. Not only that, she is very gracious when I need help right away so I can do my diatom work. Also when I don't understand something I know I can ask her and she will patiently, painstakingly answer my questions. She has truly helped me feel a part of the team.

Now, San Diego is quite a long ways from Antarctica so I asked her what was the connection? She talked about going to UC Santa Barbara majoring in Ecology and Evolution in 1997. From there She was sent here as part of a grant in 1997-98 to help with a long-term study on the abundance and distribution of krill along the Antarctic margin. Krill are not only a food source to Adelie penguins, talked about in one of my previous journals, but also they are the basis of the food chain for most Antarctic animals. For that reason it is important that we learn all we can about them.

I then asked how she came to work with us on the Nathaniel B. Palmer. She talked about finishing work one day during her krill study and being on the back deck of the Palmer's sister ship the Gould. It was sunset, the sky was pastel in color reflecting its light off a near by ice berg. Her thought....."I going to come back here." What is it about this place that affects those of us who have had the privilege of coming here so deeply? Kim said "what Antarctica has to offer is beautiful, pure and pristine... I can't describe it its just amazing." Shortly after she returned home she received a phone call from the company that coordinates the Antarctic program. They asked her to apply for a job as an MST. And that's how we were so lucky to have her be apart of our team.

As I see her everywhere, on the deck, helping us set up and maintain our experiments and working with Paul our physicians assistant. I had to ask "what is your job description?" She sent it to me via e-mail, two pages. As I suspected she does do everything, or so it seems... here is a partial list just in case one of you wants to apply one day.

Kim is responsible for the support of our laboratory operations. She makes sure all the hazardous materials are properly stored when in use and then properly put in drums and labeled as well as documented when they become hazardous waste when we are done using them. She makes sure the doctor's office on board is stocked, as well as administering first aid as needed. For this she is trained as an EMT (emergency Medical Technician) as well as hazardous waste management, and radioactive waste management. If that isn't enough she needs to have a good oceanographic field research background involving fields related to oceanography such as Marine Geology, Geophysics, Physical Oceanography, Marine Chemistry and Marine Biology. And to boot she needs to be able to work with all kinds of people in all different levels of stress. And what does she like most about her job? Her response is "I like learning and this place teaches me things everyday." And I thought my job was demanding. WOW. If any of you have questions for Kim feel free to write to her through the web page and I will make sure she gets them!!!