RAMP 2012 Expediton Scientist Profile –
Jeff Kelly, Undergraduate Student at University of Hawaiʻi

Jeff Kelly. Credit: C. Wiener and M. Onuma

Role on the expedition:
Fish Survey Team Diver

How I became interested in marine science:
I transferred to University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, because I loved to scuba dive and thought that marine biology was a good field of study to apply that skill to. I found that they had a summer field school called QUEST involving scientific diving. Once I completed the course, opportunities started popping up all over the place.

Favorite food or meal on the ship:
Fajitas

Why I love science:
I think it is interesting to see the inner workings of things; I like science because often you say "Okay that works, but I am not really going to question why it works." From a biological perspective, it is really cool to understand how things work. I like the whole thought of going to a deeper level to find out why something works the way it does.

Advice for future marine scientists:
Marine science is influenced a lot by diving, so you should look to get your SCUBA certifications and your scientific diver certification as soon as possible. It has opened so many doors for me.

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