Mission & Project Info | NOAA’s Aquarius Undersea Laboratory
Mission Blog

Greetings from the world’s largest medical center! It is with much pleasure that I am following this exciting science mission. My history with the Aquarius Reef Base (ARB) actually goes back to high school where, as an avid science student, I was enthralled by the exciting research taking place at Aquarius and entered the student essay contest. After receiving an honorable mention, I re-entered a second year and was fortunate to be accepted in 2003. As the finalist, I was given the opportunity to travel to the undersea laboratory with my parents and science teacher. This was my first chance to become SCUBA certified, a long-held goal of mine.

As a child growing up in land-locked Colorado, I have fond memories of family trips to San Diego and my first explorations of the undersea world, snorkeling and boogie boarding. Since then I have harbored a deep respect for the majesty and grandeur of the ocean world. I share NURC’s commitment to conservation of this fragile ecosystem and promotion of education about the largest portion of our planet that we are only beginning to understand.

As a biochemist and future physician scientist, I understand the great potential of knowledge gained from exploration of this “innerspace.” Not only can valuable advancements be gained from basic science research in the oceans, but there also exists a tremendous potential of applications for clinical benefit, such as bone grafts created from (laboratory reared) hard corals.

This last year as a NOAA Hollings scholar I served the ARB as a scientific liason, serving PI’s working on projects in the National Marine Sanctuary out of NURC with their dive operations, field data and sample collection, and lab analysis. The experience of working with such a professional group of scientists who share my passion for exploration and scientific inquiry was exciting. I was truly honored to have the opportunity to work at NURC and be part of a team who share my goals of exploration along with conservation and education of this fragile ocean ecosystem. I couldn’t imagine a more committed and hardworking staff. All I can say is it was truly a pleasure and I will remain a lifelong supporter of the ARB and the wonderful work being done not only with the science missions, but navy and NASA operations as well.

I am currently at the Texas Medical Center undergoing training to enter a dual MD/PhD physician scientist program next year to combine my passion for basic science research with clinical applications. In conducting genetics research into the basis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but I desired to serve our cancer patients at Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) on a deeper level.
TCH has a wonderful program, the Institute for Arts and Medicine, which was founded on the belief that artistic expression enhances the healing environment and treatment experience. As both a dancer and scientist I strongly agree. Our hospital has a state of the art recording studio for the use of its pediatric oncology patients who are encouraged to write lyrics and compose their own songs in a project called Purple Songs. NASA Astronaut Scott Parazynski was so inspired by these kids that he took their songs with him to the International Space Station as a tribute. Since then CDs containing Purple Songs music have traveled to many locations including Mt. Everest. This is all designed to focus on the kids artistic expression and to honor them by creating a “whole person” experience.

A young patient’s song about ocean exploration brought back memories of my experiences diving and working out of the Aquarius underwater habitat. I was inspired by this patient’s beautiful expression, and the NURC crew have graciously helped me to arrange a live videoconference for the kids to talk to our aquanauts in Aquarius and to hear their music played at the bottom of the ocean. This is certainly a first for Purple Songs!

In addition, one of my fondest memories of my time underwater is the magical glow of bioluminescent organisms lighting up upon any movement disruption in the water column at night. The bluish green glow reminds me of fireflies, and I wanted to share this neat adaptation of these organisms to produce their own light with the kids. So I have arranged for samples of bioluminescent algae to be sent to our Children’s Cancer Center from California so the kids can participate in a hands-on science demonstration of this bioluminescence.

I am excited to link up with the aquanauts tomorrow and to share these beautiful songs from the kids that inspired me. How far these experiences have taken me from growing up in Colorado to working under the ocean out of Aquarius…I am thrilled to share my experiences with Aquarius and contribute to the Purple Songs project.

Thanks to everyone at NURC for your great support in this endeavor.
From mission control in Houston- we are go for Purple Songs to Swim!