I am a marine geologist interested in the interaction between volcanism, tectonism, and hydrothermalism along mid-oceanic ridges. I have worked with data acquired by submersibles, deep-towed instruments and remotely-operated vehicles that explore and image the seafloor around hydrothermal systems on the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, N.E. Pacific Ocean and the Guaymas Basin in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. For the past ten years, I have focused my efforts on bridging the gap between K-12 science education and scientific research, developing ocean literacy, promoting the importance of ocean sciences to everybody’s life, and exploring ways for disparate communities to develop a common language and collaborate toward a better understanding of the oceans and its relevancy to our well-being on our planet. I direct the REVEL Project that promotes collaborations between ocean researchers and science teachers. I co-directed the Marine Sciences Student Mobility program, a study abroad program for undergraduate students exploring ocean issues through different cultural, linguistic and educational environments. I now direct the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence – Ocean Learning Communities that fosters collaborations among the ocean research community, the science of learning community, informal and formal educators, the general public, and the maritime industry.

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Research Interests

• The spatial definition of hydrothermal sites along ridge segments

• The relationship between tectonic processes and the location of active hydrothermal sites

• The high-precision physical and morphological characterization of active hydrothermal vent fields and of individual sulfide deposits

• The the study of the evolution of such deposits and their longevity.