Job on the ship: SSG Tech (Shipboard Scientific Services Group)

How long have you been on the Atlantis? I have been sailing for WHOI about a year

How long have you been a scientist/crew member? Got my master's degree in 2000, worked in Bermuda at the Biological Station for two years, then came to WHOI to work as a Ship Tech. I have been working in science in one way or another for almost 10 years.

Where are you from? West Virginia

What's the most unusual thing you've seen on cruise? Not so much as unusual but one of the coolest things I have seen is big siphonophores (zooplankton) collected during night dives in the Atlantic on the R/V Oceanus another WHOI ship. We do get some really good footage and specimens at the East Pacific Rise, tubeworms and beautiful octopuses, scale worms -- it is all very cool to see firsthand.

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? Cow tongue -- ick!

What's the strangest thing that you have ever done? Eaten cow tongue!!

What's the scariest thing that's ever happened to you? Tough one, don't know, I've done a lot of crazy things, but I don't think I was scared at the time.

If you didn't have this job, what would be your next job of choice? Again a very tough question -- I would love to own a bookstore, work in a zoo, be a nurse. If I grow up and figure out what I want to do, I'll let you know!

What's the hardest thing to endure? Taking care of someone with cancer.

What's the coolest place you've ever been? Finally an easy one!! NEPAL plus Touleme Meadows -- close to heaven it is!!