JOIDES Resolution

Kellan Moss is a professional scientific illustrator, photographer, and childhood educator. She is currently attending Rochester Institute of Technology in their Medical Illustration BFA program after earning an associates degree in Biology from Whatcom Community College. Kellan previously worked as an Outreach Officer and illustrator for IODP aboard the JOIDES Resolution. Her artwork explores the unique and specific environments within the STEM world to provide the necessary translation of bringing science to non-expert audiences.

My name is Rāwinia (Raa-winnie-a) and I am one of the peer mentors. I am Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Science majoring in Māori Studies and Ecology from the University of Otago. The University of Otago is in the South Island of New Zealand (close to Queenstown if you’ve ever been!). I grew up in Auckland which is in the North Island and have moved back to start my Masters in Marine Science next year at the University of Auckland.

I was a part of the JR Academy 2024: Fire to Flood where we went from Naples, Italy to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I think this cohort was extra cool as the majority of us were indigenous students or came from minority backgrounds. Following this, I was then a part of the ANZIC Geoscience Masterclass 2024 (the Australian & New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium) where we did hands-on learning in Queensland, Australia.

My passion is to use mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems) alongside western science to improve the care of unique ecosystems here in New Zealand. In my spare time, you’ll find me tramping, swimming or watching YouTube.

Olivia Adams is one of the Alumni Mentors, having participated in JR Academy 2023 while pursuing her B.S. in Earth Sciences from The Pennsylvania State University. Participating in JR Academy sparked her curiosity for marine research, and she continued her education by earning a M.S. in Geological Sciences from the University of Connecticut. Her research focuses on the Holocene evolution of the Great Barrier Reef, using benthic foraminiferal assemblages as a proxy for water quality and coral health. Since sailing on JR Academy in 2023, Olivia has continued to stay involved in the STEMSEAS network and is excited to be a part of OCA 2026!

Hi I’m Jess Lamarca! I’m from Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania and I graduated from Ursinus College with degree in Earth Systems Science. I love to be outside, golf, and cuddle up with my two orange kitties, Goose and Flora!

Hi, I’m Meaghan Dutton and I’m a Middle School Science Teacher at East Lake Academy! I graduated St. Norbert College with a BS in Geology, and I sailed on the JOIDES Resolution during their final JR Academy in April of 2024! I was able to present my experience on the JR at the Geological Society of America, highlighting the impact of field experiences for undergraduates. I have been able to do field work around the world, most recently in Scotland with the University of St. Andrew’s! I am most passionate about geology education and science communication, and love being able to use my field experiences to teach my students!

Students

Hi everyone! My name is Rai Ahmed, and I’m a first-year geology student from Southern California. This is my first time doing any sort of internship, so I’m really excited to see what’s in store! My hobbies include cooking and baking, I’m forever a cat person, and my favorite ice cream flavor is salted caramel ribbon crunch. I’m so looking forward to meeting the rest of the team in Texas!  insta: @raixahmedd

Hi everyone! My name is Alec Hunter, and I’m a Civil Engineering major at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington. I have a particular interest in hydraulic and geotechnical engineering, and would like to work on sustainable infrastructure in the future. I like math and science a lot but also have a strong interest in the social and political context of our built environment. In my ever-shrinking free time I like to work away at my ever-growing list of hobbies, which includes reading, games, sewing, bookbinding, model making, and more! I’ve also got two cats and am extremely willing to talk about them at length.

Hello! My name is Alex and I currently work in the field of cancer research with aspirations of a career and education change to geoscience and/or ocean sciences. I also volunteer at a small aquarium, getting to contribute to coscience projects and skeleton articulation of marine mammals. In typical PNW fashion, I like to be outdoors, from hiking to backpacking, tide pooling, and hanging out with my dog.

Hello everybody! My name is Conor Hulse and I am from Washington state and go to CWU in the process of getting my BS in Geology. My friends always there are three things that people need to get along with me and that is.

1. I love food
2. I love games
3. I am a huge nerd(Like a huge, huge nerd)

I am super exited to spend this time with you guys and am looking forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you guys and hope that this will at least be a memorable experience for all of us!

Hi, I’m Derrick Marquez, an Environmental Studies student at City College of San Francisco with a strong passion for nature, environmental science, and climate change. I enjoy learning about ecosystems, wildlife, and the ways people interact with the environment. My curiosity about the natural world has inspired me to pursue a career where I can contribute to environmental research and conservation. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, exploring nature, and watercolor painting. Art and science are both important parts of my life because they allow me to appreciate the beauty of the natural world while also understanding how it works. Spending time outdoors has helped strengthen my interest in protecting the environment and finding solutions to environmental challenges. As a student, I enjoy hands-on learning, fieldwork, and opportunities to explore new ideas. My goal is to become an environmental scientist and work on projects that help protect ecosystems, address climate change, and create a more sustainable future. I am always eager to learn, grow, and make a positive impact through both my education and my passion for the environment.

Hello, my name is Iris Ditre and I am an undergraduate student at the College of Staten Island, majoring in Environmental Science. Ever since I was a young child, I have been very passionate about marine science and have always been curious about natures natural cycles. I have watched shark week every single year as long as I can remember, and was always the kid that in the museum or aquarium that read every single imformation box they had available. I’m very excited for this opportunity to apply classroom concepts into a real world field.

Hi! My name is Jules Lyons and I am an Environmental Studies & Sustainability student at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. I love geoscience (mainly geology) and am always excited for new opportunities to do research and have cool experiences, like attending OCEAN CORE Academy! Besides geoscience, I am also passionate about ocean sciences, sustainability, second-hand markets, museum studies, and creative writing. At school I can usually be found in just a few places–the library (studying, reading, grabbing more books to borrow), the basement of the library working at the free campus thrift store, the science building (taking care of the geology collection, attending geoscience classes, talking to ENVS people) or the basement lab of the science building, trying to get various technologies to cooperate. By participating in OCA I hope to gain more experience with lab work, science communication, and paleoclimate research! 

Hi everybody! I’m Maddie, a geology student at Glendale Community College in AZ! Outside of class, I’m usually volunteering at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, doing research with the San Juan Basin Paleo Project, working at Tyrannostorus, or leading hikes as president of GCC Hiking Club. Simply put, I love spending time in the field and learning about natural science! So I’m super excited for the opportunity to study ocean cores and meet others who are just as enthusiastic about rocks as I am!

My name is Maria, I’m from Edmonds WA, and I’m an incoming Junior at the University of Washington transferring from Edmonds College. I plan on studying geology and am interested in pursuing a career in science communication.

Hi! My name is Josh Nielsen. I am a Geology/STEM Education student at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. I grew up in Denver, Colorado and fell in love with the geological sciences while spending my summers in western Nebraska on my grandparents’ ranch. I moved to Washington State in high school. My high school oceanography class and student experiences spent at the NOAA campus in Seattle are what pulled me toward the ocean. In my free time I like to hike, travel, and play Minecraft.

Hi! My name is Riley Smith, and I am majoring in biology and minoring in education at Ursinus College. I’m particularly interested in ecology, marine science, and geology, and love exploring new opportunities in the fields. I just finished my first year at Ursinus, and next year I’m looking forward to joining clubs, doing social media for a team, and getting involved in another research project. Outside of school, I enjoy photography, watercolor, crafting, and swimming. I’m looking forward to participating in OCA to gain more experience in lab work and scientific communication.

My name is Sara Bazan, I am 19 years old and I live in Houston ,Texas. I’m majoring in geology and decided to use my time wisely this summer and applied to this program. I’m interested in reducing fossil fuel use and finding substitutes in order to help the earth heal from environmental damage. I’m excited for the experience and memories I’m going to make!

Victoria a Geology student at Whatcom Community College who loves learning about how Earth’s systems work and interact, both in the lab and out in the field. Through my classes, lab experiences, and student research projects, I’ve built skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and science communication. Driven by a desire to become a volcanologist, my career goal is to earn a B.S. in Geology and eventually pursue graduate study focusing on subduction zone volcanism. Apart from digging in the dirt and hiking, I enjoy reading, baking, and playing video games.

Hello I’m Luke Leroux. I’m from Charlottesville Virginia and go to Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). I’ve only been taking geology classes for two years, so I’m excited to learn more through this opportunity.

Hello! My name is Kale Pirch, I’m an environmental science student from Portland Community College in Oregon. I’m crazy about all things nature, and while my major focuses are environmental science and biology, I’m also a huge geology nerd! I am always looking for new ways to learn and gain experiences so I’m very excited to be attending OCEAN CORE 2026 and learn from both professionals and peers. My goals and aspirations are always expanding and I cant wait to see how this experience will help shape my perspective of what a future career in the natural sciences will look like!

Ismael Puntos Pena