Now that we have completed our diving orientation, we're ready to go after some marine worms. I thought today, you better meet the members of the elite worm tracking team.
Who handles the worms?
Throughout our journal entries you've heard mention of our expedition team. You've also probably read their biographies on our expedition page. If not, you can read about them, by clicking here. I thought today we'd look at each team member and their role in our expedition through my eyes.
Dr. Adam Marsh
"Our Fearless Leader and Chief Worm Collector"
Dr. Adam Marsh. Can't you feel what he's thinking? Let's go diving!
Adam is the Principal Investigator of the expedition, the person in charge of everything. He came up with the scientific question we are trying to answer and wrote the proposal to get the funding to come to Antarctica. Adam is also the primary diver, collecting the sediment samples that we hope will contain worms. He is instrumental to every aspect of the project from diving field operations, like picking where to dive, to the lab work with the smallest worm. This is his 15th trip to McMurdo Station.
On top of all that, Adam is incredibly patient and kind, with a great sense of humor. He is so helpful with questions and is an unbelievable person to work with. I can't tell you how many times I have asked, "Adam, how do I....?" or "Adam, what animal is this?" The answers always come with patience and a willingness to share his incredible knowledge and experience. He is always watching out for every team member. You could not ask for a better leader or teammate.
Dr. Stacy Kim
"The Underwater Worm Locator"
Dr. Stacy Kim, gearing up for the field season in the Food Room.
Stacy has led many of her own projects to Antarctica in the past. In fact, she has been here 13 times. She has had many PolarTREC teachers as well. You can view some of her previous expeditions:
- Antarctic Seafloor Ecology
- Antarctic Undersea ROV
- Antarctic Undersea ROV 08
- Antarctic Undersea ROV 09
For our project, Stacy is an extremely accomplished diver, who is here to help us locate the worm Capitella perarmata. She has a ton of experience, studying all the animals that live in the sediment in McMurdo Sound. She has already taught me a lot about using photos and video to study the animals that live beneath McMurdo Sound. She is incredibly generous with her equipment, time, talent, and knowledge. Plus, she is amazing to watch in the water. This stuff is not easy to do.
On top of all that, Stacy is an amazing person just to be around. She is energetic and enthusiastic. Stacy loves life and her enthusiasm is contagious. Already, I've followed her up Ob Hill, star-gazed at Arrival Heights, and met more people around McMurdo who are her friends than I thought was ever possible.
Stephanie Guida
"The Worm Sorter"
Steph's adventurous spirit knows no bounds.
Stephanie is a Ph.D. student on the team and this is her second season at McMurdo. There is no doubt that she will very soon become a "Dr." Steph's responsibilities are two-fold on this project: she assists the diving operations in the field and she has a leadership role in the lab. Steph might look small, but she packs a dynamic punch. Every time I go to help lift something, Steph has already got it done. She loves the outdoors and is really into mountain climbing and hiking. In the lab, Steph is really good at locating the worms in our samples. In the Dive Hut, Steph is the Master of the Dive Gloves.
Steph is also our board game coordinator. During our frequent layovers and boredom during travel, Steph was quick to break out the crossword puzzle or game. She has instituted a regular board game session and I must admit that she has beaten me badly more than once. In addition to all of that, Steph is the "Knock-Knock" Joke Queen. She has forgotten more knock-knock jokes than I will learn in my entire lifetime.
Annamarie Pasqualone
"The Worm Whisperer"
Annamarie speaks and the worms listen. Unbelieveable I know, but true.
Annamarie is also a Ph.D. student and this is her second season at McMurdo. Like Steph, she assists with diving operations and has big responsibilities in the lab. Annamarie is going to be keeping a constant eye on any worms that we collect. She has a unique skill set that our team plans to use to develop amazing worm colonies. Annamarie always has the best conversations of anyone I have met thus far. She has amazing stories and connects with people so well. I have met a lot of new friends because of Annamarie.
Unofficially, Annamarie is something of an animal whisperer. She has a blind cat that she has taught to use the toilet and a rescued turtle that dances with people. Seriously, I couldn't make this up if I wanted to. In her free time at McMurdo, Annamarie has already gone flying with a kite (no I wrote that correctly), participated in a McMurdo Scavenger Hunt, and drives a mean Pisten Bully.
Although Annamarie and Stephanie could be sisters, they are very different people.
Michael League
"The Worm Apprentice"
You already know a lot about me. So, where do I fit in all this? Quite honestly, I am trying to learn as much as I can from each of these fabulous team members. They each have so much to teach me about everything. From the diving to the worm cultures to the genetic lab work, I can't wait to try it all and then share it with all of you.