Saipan’s Erica Leon Guerrero joins an expedition team in a groundbreaking initiative exploring deep-sea biology and geology in the South Pacific.
(Ocean Exploration Trust) — Erica Jonette C. Leon Guerrero from Oregon State University has been selected as a 2024 Ocean Science Intern in the Science & Engineering Internship Program and will sail aboard Ocean Exploration Trust’s Exploration Vessel Nautilus during its 2024 expedition season. Erica, (originally from Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands) was selected as one of 16 interns from hundreds of applicants and will join the team aboard E/V Nautilus in September to explore deep-sea habitats around American Samoa in collaboration with the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and other partners.
“What excites me most is primarily being part of this expedition,” Leon Guerrero said. “I’m eager to discover the wonders of the deep sea, learn all it has to offer, build connections with fellow explorers, and contribute to such an extraordinary team.”
Ocean Exploration Trust, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Robert Ballard, operates with a mission to explore the unknown parts of the ocean, seeking out new discoveries across the fields of geology, biology, and hydrography while pushing the boundaries of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematic) education and technological innovation using remotely operated vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and seafloor mapping technologies. The team has traveled around the world helping understand the deep ocean and sharing discoveries live with the world through NautilusLive.org/.
People worldwide can engage with Erica and the explorers onboard via NautilusLive.org, a 24-hour live-streaming web portal bringing expeditions from the field to explorers on shore via telepresence technology and social media. Local schools, summer programs, and community groups are encouraged to schedule free, live one-on-one Q&A sessions with explorers on the ship available daily.
About the Ocean Exploration Trust
The Ocean Exploration Trust was founded in 2008 by Dr. Robert Ballard to explore the ocean, seeking out new discoveries in the fields of geology, biology, maritime history, and archaeology while pushing the boundaries of STEAM education and technological innovation. Our international program is launched from aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, offering live exploration to participants on shore and the public via live video, audio, and data feeds. Learn more about Ocean Exploration Trust.
The 2024 E/V Nautilus expeditions are sponsored by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Ocean Networks Canada. OET education program sponsors and partners for 2024 include the Office of Naval Research, National Geographic Society, NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, CITGO, QPS, and the Phil Stephenson Foundation.
Our ongoing Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute partners include the University of Rhode Island, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
