Douglas White

Name & Institution:
Douglas White
Ocean Information Center & College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Information Technology Department

Academic Background:
US Navy Nuclear Power School – Nuclear Reactor Operator / Electronics Technician
B.S., Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology, Delaware State University

Current Area of Interest:
My current area of interest is in Technology Research & Development. I like to assess the needs of scientists and leverage my knowledge of innovations in autonomous underwater vehicles and their sensor suites as well as computer hardware and software technologies to help solve data gathering, analysis & presentation needs.

Why did you sign up for the cruise?
I was asked to join the cruise in a supportive role to assist the Chief Scientist with the workshop and to assist with the robotics deployment & recovery processes. I also help chronicle the workshop as a photographer & videographer.

What did you learn?
I learned that the success of a science mission at sea is highly dependent on the crew of the research vessel that it’s being hosted on. The crew of the RV Hugh R Sharp were extremely professional, open and personable, which made for a very pleasant and productive time for me and the others involved in the workshop. Their can-do attitude and willingness to do whatever it took to maintain the safety and morale of the scientists while getting stuff done was awesome.

I also learned that there is a wide range of interests from several different fields when it comes to doing science at sea. There is a great opportunity to try to bring those different fields together to help share their wants & needs with those of scientists in different fields off study.