Samuel Georgian

Samuel Georgian
Ph.D. Candidate
Center for Biodiversity, Temple University
http://samuelgeorgian.weebly.com/

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Center for Biodiversity at Temple University. My dissertation research focuses on explaining and predicting the patchy distribution of cold-water corals in the deep sea, as well as investigating the energetic mechanisms they use to counter environmental stressors such as ocean acidification. On the cruise, I am collecting and analyzing water samples for pH and total alkalinity to help us better understand carbonate chemistry dynamics in coastal environments.

During my Ph.D., I have participated in five research cruises to the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea and am generally familiar with living and working on research vessels. However, as a graduate student, I have not gained as much experience in leading the science team at sea – thus prompting me to join the UNOLS chief scientist training cruise this year. While at sea, I’ve learned how to plan launch and deployment operations with the ship’s crew, make decisions about weather and mission priorities, and coordinate with different members of the science and vehicle teams. Perhaps most importantly, I learned the importance of always having a contingency plan in case of bad weather, illness, or equipment failure, and how to respond quickly and effectively when things don’t work. While on shore, we also received detailed and valuable information from UNOLS and NSF representatives about how to apply for (and successfully receive) ship time and funding, fill out required pre- and post-cruise forms, and develop an effective cruise plan.