GMGI Researchers Join OceanX for Young Explorers Program
As part of GMGI’s ongoing partnership with OceanX, GMGI researchers Matt Harke, Ph.D. and Jennifer Polinski took part in the organization’s third Young Explorers Program (YEP). YEP was created by OceanX to provide college students and recent graduates traditionally underrepresented in marine science with the incredible opportunity to learn about and explore the ocean – all while aboard the state-of-the-art research vessel OceanXplorer.
The group departed from Monaco and arrived in the Netherlands after an 11-day journey through the Mediterranean Sea, out the Strait of Gibraltar and up the European coast. While on board, Matt and Jennifer led lectures and educational activities focusing on oceanography and genomics. In addition to the science curriculum, the students learned how to use state-of-the-art media equipment from Director/Producer Sonya Lee and Director of Photography Ivan Agerton to communicate the importance of the ocean and marine science. Dr. Tiara Moore offered an in-depth look into eDNA and she shared the experiences that led to her founding “Black in Marine Science.”
“So many aspects of this experience were once in a lifetime, for the faculty as well as the students,” said Jennifer. “It was wonderful to spend 11 days on the OceanXplorer, sharing my passion with the next generation of scientists and science communicators. I was inspired every single day by the other faculty members and the OceanX crew, but even more so by the students.”
While on board, students filtered water for eDNA sequencing in the OceanXplorer’s laboratories, practiced operating a “remote operated vehicle” to map and visualize the deep ocean, collected sediment samples, explored underwater ecosystems with advanced marine tools and developed inspirational media to communicate science, all while living with and learning from OceanX’s scientific team.
“This is my second Young Explorers Program, and I’m just as awed, inspired and humbled as I was the first time,” Matt said. “It was such a privilege to sail with this latest group of students and faculty, exploring the wonders of the sea.”